Volume 2

Written and Authored by Sarah Agha and The Married Female Friends
Group

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COPYRIGHT
Copyright © 2019 by Sarah Agha and MMFF

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever
without the express written permission of the publisher
except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN: 978-978-975-249-2

Printed in Social Media

First Printing, 2019

Bible quotations are from New King James, Amplified and The Message bible translations,
except otherwise cited.

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DEDICATION

This Volume is dedicated to women dedicated to making their life count.

Women bent on sowing the right seeds that would outlive them.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

HISTORY LESSONS THAT STIR THE HEART Volume 2 is a continuation of the Volume 1
and it is still the collective effort of women on a Telegram platform called MY MARRIED
FEMALE FRIENDS.

It is a closed group with a facebook presence as well; but interactions and discussions are held on
the Telegram page.

These women, over 12 weeks have discussed the life and times of 12 women and have put
together their thoughts in a coherent way that can help individuals and groups have a deep glance
into the heart of women during Bible times and how it reflects on us now.

Women both then and now have similar challenges, are faced with the same questions and battle
these same cultural or societal giants.

We thank God for bringing inspiration and light to us in all our discussions. His infallible Word
gave us a balance every single time. God furnished us with wisdom to help these lessons come
forth. Without Him, we would have been groping in the dark. Thank You, Father for your
comforting presence throughout this journey.

Spouses and children had to make some adjustments of time and fun to accommodate some of
these discussion time. We shall all partake of the blessings; it's a scriptural principle. God bless
you for your understanding.

We acknowledge the editorial board of this group. 17 virtuous women. Working together as a
team. We will all soar on eagles’ wings.

For this volume, we acknowledge the facilitators and major writers namely: Sisters Teegee
Akande, Cynthia Njeakor, Hamdalla Adelaiye, Mary Efunkoya, Ene Bolanta, Fisayo Adeoye
Adesina, Mabel Ajayi, Sarah Bassey, Joy Ali, Goodness Nkanta, Sarah Agha and Precious
Iweha. This volume started with Judge Deborah and ended with The Wise Woman of Abel.

We also acknowledge the book writing committee who took the time to compile and edit the
different comments made. Working behind the scenes, they are: Sisters Teegee Akande, Sarah
Agha, Cynthia Njeakor, Precious Iweha, Hamdalla Adelaiye, Motunrayo Amadu and Ene
Bolanta (the poet).

We acknowledge Sisters Hamdalla Adelaiye and Ene Bolanta, who were the major poets in this
volume. God bless you richly Sisters. Your heads will not lack oil.

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We acknowledge all the ladies on the platform who made time to contribute to the discussion.

We acknowledge a few outside 'eyes' that helped in further editing.

Our Pastors who feed us the Balanced Word of God, God bless you more.

We acknowledge you our readers who have made the move to buy and to read this book. You
make it all worthwhile.

Sarah Agha

MMFF convener

for the team

INTRODUCTION

Life is about seedtime and harvest.

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Sarah Agha

Genesis 8:22

[22] While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and
winter, and day and night shall not cease.

This is one of the most profound statements in scripture.

It encapsulates the working of the world we live in.

Life is about seed and harvest.

Choices are seeds, consequences are their harvest.

These women were given the seed of life and time, opportunities presented themselves and
choices were made, some at a moment's notice.

The quality of decisions they made, made their stories, challenging or heroic, sad or lively, and
other heart stirrings that come with stories.

But.... their stories didn't end with them; its consequences affected others.

Delilah's decision to sell out on Samson brought about the death of many more than Samson
killed in his lifetime.

Bathsheba's meek acceptance of the advances of the king killed her husband and stained a whole
lineage with blood and death, incest and jealousy. The king almost lost His throne to rivalry.

Ruth by sowing the seed of devotion, love and loyalty, came into a covenant union that secured
her lineage forever.

The seed of courage by the unnamed wise women of Abel, preserved her community from
certain death by the hand of Joab.

Our daily living presents us with seeds in the form of choices.

Seeds can be dormant; they can be corrupted, but their harvest is sure.

Salvation is tied to a seed (Jesus) that saved and it was counted for Him as a generation.

The sinful nature humanity inherited was as a result of a choice made by man to disobey.

Seed is coded into every day and every thought.

Time is a seed.
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Children are seeds.

Choices/decisions are seeds.

Thoughts are seeds, they take roots and direct the cause of one's life.

Words are seeds, one is satisfied by the fruit (which contains seeds) for one's lips.

Proverbs 12:14

[14]A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's
hands shall be rendered unto him.

Proverbs 13:2-3

[2]A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat
violence.

[3]He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have
destruction.

Experiences are seeds.

Attitudes are seeds.

Believes are seeds.

The beatitudes in Matthew 5 seems to me like the rendition of seed time and harvest.

You sow something you reap its harvest. A clear example is found in verse 7

Matthew 5:7

[7] Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Life is all about seeds.

The result of seedtime is harvest.

You and I are bags of seeds.

Around us is a harvest from seeds. Some ours, some from our connections.

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The seeds affect us as individuals and extend to our seeds (children) and beyond them.

These histories we are studying brings to light that our everyday count as a seed.

How we handle the seed of choice can build or destroy us and others.

The last chapter of 2 Samuel gives a vivid analysis of what happens when we make choices.

2 Samuel 24:17

[17] And David spoke unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said,
Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine
hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.

Notice the highlighted wail by David.

Make a choice that will not make your work, your gains, your children expendables....

Galatians 6:7-9

[7] Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

[8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the
Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

[9] And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

As believers in Jesus Christ, the bag of seeds we must be full of are THE SEEDS OF THE
WORD OF GOD, to enable us win in this present age.

Our daily living and choices should be governed by the seeds from the word we have stored up
in our hearts.

1 Peter 1:23-25

[23] Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which
liveth and abideth forever.

[24] For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass
withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

[25] But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is
preached unto you.

Seed time and harvest shall not cease as long as the earth remains.

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TABLE OF CONTENT

TITLES PAGE

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1. JUDGE DEBORAH 11

2. DARING JAEL 30

3. DECEPTIVE DELILAH 41

4. BEREAVED NAOMI 54

5. LOYAL RUTH 69

6. PRAYERFUL HANNAH 91

7. SCORNFUL MICHAL 106

8. STRATEGIC ABIGAIL 127

9. THE NECROMANCER 141

10. COMPROMISED BATHSHEBA 158

11. VIOLATED TAMAR 172

12. LADY WISE 190

Poems by Sisters Ene Bolanta and Hamdalla Adelaiye

JUDGE DEBORAH

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FACILITATED BY Sister Teegee Akande

POEM

How gracious is our God

His ways are past finding out
At a time, it seemed all was lost
He raised me as a Judge in Isreal
Took no thought that I am a woman
I am someone's wife and a mother
Still He raised me

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A mother in Isreal
One upheld by His very hand
Wisdom, counsel and grace He bestowed on me
Even the courage to go to battle
What a God of wonder
Using the seemingly weak to show His glory
He's wroth great victories
Our oppressors are fallen
Oh! what a mighty God
His heritage endures forever

Composed by Sis Hamdalla Adelaiye

MEET HER

Deborah as a name means “honeybee” or “bee” and she is of Hebrew descent.

Deborah was a strong woman of faith, wise, bold and fearless. Deborah was the wife of
Lappidoth though not much was recorded about her husband.

Some key points to note about Deborah are;

She was a strong woman and a prophetess.

She was a woman who had confidence in God.

Though she lived in a time where the Israelites had turned to idolatry, she refused to follow the
crowd.
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She knew her significance in her time and followed her calling as “a mother in Israel”. She
knew who she was and was unapologetic in calling it out personally– Judges 5:7.

She used what she had and placed value on it. Imagine judging disputes among Israelites under a
palm tree. She did not let the location affect her calling, she valued her calling and did it well.

She started well and finished well. What a legacy! She led, judged and ruled Israel and then
Israel enjoyed peace for forty years afterwards.

She knew her worth and that is why she told Barak that she would go with him to take Sisera,
however, the honour and glory will not be on Barak but rather a woman. Who knows, maybe
Barak thought she meant that woman was herself, Deborah (just a thought).

As women, wives and mothers, we must know our worth and not wait on others to value us.
Knowing who we are in Christ makes a huge difference and keeps us focused on our God-given
purpose. Walk in that grace, authority and anointing that God has graced you with. Step out with
boldness and do not let others or circumstances define you. Find out for yourself what God has
called you to be. Deborah knew she was “a mother in Israel” and she spoke it into existence and
did not wait to be called so by anyone or ordained as such by anyone (there’s nothing wrong in
being ordained).

Sisters, do you know who God says you are? Then walk boldly and confidently in that reality.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER ON:

What are some reasons, ways, factors, people or circumstances that hinder us from walking in
the reality of who God says we are?
How can we mitigate against these hinderances?

LIKELY ANSWERS

For Question 1

The reasons can include;

IGNORANCE OF THE TRUTH;

Until we know the truth, we can't be free. On most pulpits where the word of God is preached,
hardly is the truth about God's love and His saving grace shared upon. The Bible says faith
comes by hearing the word of God, but most messages do not build the needed faith. So, people
are deprived of the reality of who they are.

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LACK OF MOVING BEYOND OUR COMFORT ZONE.
This great attorney stepped out of her comfort zone; she wasn't all hurdled up in her own issues
at home she stepped out to make a difference. Lesson we should not allow fear to keep us in our
comfort zone. Sometimes it's pain or fear of the unknown, that hinders us from stepping out in
faith.

NOT DEFINING ONE’S PURPOSE

One must need to know and define one's purpose and stay focused to bring it to pass. Prophetess
Deborah is one of the great women of the Bible. A ruler, leader and judge. She most likely was
the first female president in the world? Doing her ministry, ruling and judging a whole nation
and still taking care of her wifely duties. She was a woman who knew her purpose and was
focused in achieving it.

UNBELIEF
Most times we see God as too good to be true. We have to help Him, or we have to do something
to aid God. It]s just typical of the religious people. So whatever God says about us we should
receive by faith and not think we must do extras before He hears.

FEAR
To overcome this, we must constantly remind ourselves of whose we are, and who we are and
these daily affirmations would help us resist the spirit of fear.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2
Timothy 1:7

For Question 2;
To mitigate this, we must:

TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD.

God is not a man that He should lie nor the son of man that He repents of His word. Working on
our mental picture of who God is to us and how to relate with Him as per His word. Jesus said
the words that He speaks are spirit and life. If His word becomes life and real when we allow it,
it will go a long way.

DONT BOW TO FEAR.

Deborah was "fearless." To think that even Barak showed some fright and asked her to go with
him to battle. She was bold and courageous, a daughter of the God of Angel-Armies. She went
forth to face Sisera a great warrior with 900 chariots of iron. She was not afraid of death. She
believed the God of Israel would deliver Sisera into their hands as He had promised.

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UPLINE CONNECTION

Deborah was a woman who knew her God and had confidence in God. Daniel 11:32b says “they
that know their God shall be strong and do exploits”. Deborah accomplished this scripture verse
even without having to have seen it from any of the laws of Moses in her time.

During her time, the children of Israel had been oppressed and tormented for twenty years by
Jabin and his nine hundred iron chariots, the children of Israel did evil in God’s sight after Ehud
died.

So, what then is a chariot?

A chariot is a two-wheeled horse drawn vehicle used in ancient warfare or racing.

The children of Israel were oppressed using these chariots. They were run down and chased.

They cried out to God during this time of oppression.

Then arose Deborah, a prophetess, judge and a mother in Israel.

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Deborah distinguished herself in her time as she did not join the rest of the Israelites to do evil
and worship idols. Deborah was not the only female prophetess in the bible, but she was the
only female judge in Israel, throughout the Bible.

Wow!! What an inspiration. She did not allow the truth that she was a female stop her from
fulfilling her God-given purpose and destiny in her time.

She judged with wisdom. The bible records that she summoned Barak in Judges 4:6 and told
Barak what the Lord had said concerning the destruction of Sisera, Jabin’s army.

To summon means “to authoritatively or urgently call someone”. Deborah understood the
authority she had in God and was unapologetic about using it.

She also applied wisdom in conveying the message from God especially living in times of male
dominance where the position of a judge is concerned.

How did she apply wisdom?

Judges 4:9 has the answer; she could have said from the beginning that the destruction of Sisera
will not be to Barak’s honour and glory but rather to a woman. She “tested” the waters where
conveying the message to Barak was concerned and the wisdom of God she applied in
conveying the message yielded the right results.

Judges 4:4 "Israel's leader at that time, the one who was responsible for bringing the people
back to God, was Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth." (Living Bible)

She must have been well connected, capable and very responsible for God to have singled her
out to be used to deliver His people.

She didn't hesitate or delay in praising and thanking God for His miracles and victory in the
battle won. Just like Miriam, she sang out praises and thanks to God Almighty. She was a
praiseful woman. She sang praises at Israel' s victory; she understood spiritual warfare.

Deborah obviously had a vibrant relationship with God, it seems like she saw something about
God that fueled her confidence and boldness in carrying out her duties.

In a day where women were relegated to the background a lot, she understood her worth and
fully embraced the assignment God had given her. Many times, women tend to draw back
because we think we are supposed to be the "weaker vessels", we feel we must be quiet, speak
softly and generally just " support" the men folks as they do the major things. We must make up
our minds and partner with the Holy Spirit to harness fully all He has put in us.

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If you are a gentle and quiet woman, beautiful! Put your strength to good use, but if you are a
woman like Deborah that God has put the mandate of moving things in your hands don't hold
anything back because you want to fit into any mold. God loves variety that's why He made us
different.

She was prayerful.

She knew who she was and declared boldly how Israel had deteriorated, but she arose a mother
in Israel. Yes, she said it boldly!

QUESTIONS TO PONDER ON

What criteria does God use in singling out someone to be used for a particular purpose/mission?

LIKELY ANSWERS

The willingness to follow God's instructions;

Deborah made up her mind to face the challenge even when it seemed difficult, she understood
that she had a God who would back her up.

FAITH.
For whosoever believes shall be called children of God, for if you believe you shall see the glory
of God, for with God all things are possible.

FAVOUR AND MERCY.

Deborah had favour with God and through her obedience to His instructions, God showed mercy
on Israel and delivered them from Sisera and Jabin.

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SIDELINE CONNECTION

DEBORAH’S RELATIONSHIP WITH HER HUSBAND

In discussing Deborah’s relationship with others, let us start with that of her husband. As
mentioned on Day 1, not much was mentioned about her husband Lappidoth. It is possible that
Lappidoth was one of a kind type of husband who was not threatened or intimidated by the grace
of God upon her life. He seemed to recognize God being with her and must have given her the
freedom to rule and judge Israel for forty years according to how God led her to do so. This does
not mean that she may not have run some thoughts by Lappidoth, she may have but her husband
must have had confidence in God Almighty to lead his wife aright. Lappidoth probably must
have been a secure man.

There is a clear distinction in how a wife 'Allows her husband' to be the head. Where she
becomes the wife at home. No contention about who is husband. She is satisfied with her place
as wife no matter who/what she is outside. This may sound funny but it's so true and some
problems in homes are tied to this matter. But this scripture clearly stated that Deborah was the
wife to her husband. A speculation that her office tree may be close to her house is likely. That's

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a possibility, so she could function not too far from her home or work from home, thereby
keeping the home front going too.

Whether that is so or not, this woman was clear who was the husband. She was the wife.

Judges 4:4

[4] And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

This very single verse hit me in the face the very first time I read it. In this single verse
Deborah's life was outlined and I dare say in order of priority. Since the Bible is not a book of
coincidences, I truly believe this order is the allowed order for living.

Clearly, we were told her name. She is Deborah.

Her allegiance was clearly stated. Her assignment was tied to her allegiance. She chose God
during a perverse generation. She was not swayed by the multitudes that turned away from the
God of Israel, she sought God in out and is His prophetess. She was aware of it and doing it. This
assignment did not get swallowed up in wifely duties or societal demands. She maintained a
continuous flourishing relationship with God. To be God's mouthpiece, she had developed
intimacy in prayer and the 'law'.

She made time for God in her busy schedule of being a;

Wife (home front)

A minister of God (spiritual)

A judge (marketplace).

Her God connection was a priority project for her not an option.

This tells us that reading our Bible and praying is not second to anything. It is priority.

She found a balance in all this.

She was clear who was the home front leader. She was a wife! What she was outside didn't affect
who was the head at home.

DEBORAH'S RELATIONSHIP WITH BARAK

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Her relationship with Barak was a good one, so to speak. Barak recognized the grace of God on
Deborah’s life and the authority she carried. He did not look down on her and her authority
because she was a woman. Regardless, this guy did not care, all he cared about was that their
enemy Sisera and his army be destroyed. If we are truly kingdom focused and prioritize the
kingdom above every other thing, it will not matter to us who God chooses to use to get the job
done and get the honour.

Judges 4:6

[6]And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him,
Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and
take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

She knew how to respect a man. Though she was in the position of authority, and she could 'send
and call for' a man, she had an attitude of talking that was not an affront to the ego of the man.
He was a leader in his own right she didn't unman him to prove her 'Judge' status. She
recognized his own place. He may be one of the subordinates, but he was a leader too. In fact, he
was to defeat the leader of the opposition.

She gave him the message that would strengthen his arm in battle. Assured him of victory. That
I believe allowed him to say what he said – “if you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will
not go with me, I will not go”.

He recognized her own place. Respect begets respect. It's important to show respect to whoever.
Learn the rudiments of cultivating healthy attitudes towards others. Recognize their uniqueness
and contribution. Whether you are up or down or in the middle, you need to treat the higher ups
or lower downs with the honour due them. No man is without honour no matter what part of the
ranks he or she is at.

HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO / RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS

Judges 4:4

We are told of her role to humanity. She supplied her part to her world. She was not only about
the kitchen, her husband, her children; she had a unique contribution. She didn't need a fancy
office to perform that role, she determined to be a blessing. This was at a time of need too. There
was no other judge mentioned and Israel had a need to hear from God because of their
oppression. She was in the land, but her connection to God made her see His ways in those dark
times.

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CLARITY ON ROLES IN RELATIONSHIPS

Judges 4:14

[14] And Deborah said unto Barak, up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered
Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So, Barak went down from mount
Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.

She knew her boundaries, like mentioned above, she was willing and ready to go, but she knew
her boundaries. In her list of characteristics, being a soldier was not mentioned, she went but
allowed the soldiers to go into the field. She didn't stand in the way of their own space. She let
them do their own part. Know your boundaries. Recognize your place and give others their
place.

From her song of praise in Chapter 5 (interesting song), we can deduce that she was a well-
informed woman and leader. She KNEW the state of her sheep. She called each sheep by name
and outlined their duties. She acknowledged each by his/her participation and contribution
whether good, bad or none. Her sheep couldn't complain that 'I no hear my name o'! (meaning I
did not hear my name).

It's a tall order, however, as a leader, one must be aware of the state of your flock. Seek out
knowledge actively. She paid attention to details. She was not too high up there not to know or
over busy not to mention. Two tribes were to go to this war by instruction but in her song, she
acknowledged some of the other tribes as well whether they did well or not. The victory 'is all
ours'.

It means you may not be the one who went with the sword. But you may have said a prayer, your
place is vital. Jael was at her tent.

GIVING CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE TO OTHERS

She also praised Jael who killed Sisera, she praised Barak. She did not run them down to look
good.

HER STANCE AS A LEADER

Judges 4

[9] And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall
not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah
arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

The word 'Surely...' means she already knew that she would go and was prepared to go, but she
allowed him not to see this as an affront to his authority or area of specialization. It shows a
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leader that is willing to dirty her hands in the pits with her soldiers. She was not going to be
hiding while she sends others to war and maybe their deaths. She was a leader. A judge in the
examples from the judges before her was expected to go to battle if need be, she didn't hide
under 'I am a woman'. She was prepared to do all the duties of her function, If the men were
willing to accept that; including going to war. She was a leader in the good and bad times.

HER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MALE GENDER

This woman knew when to draw the line with the male gender. A Judge's job is more often a
man's job.

In fact, she was Israel's first and only female judge. Her 'cabinet'(?) members would mostly have
been men. Women got married off early and they gave attention to child rearing and upbringing.
The men were the ones occupied with affairs of the state. So, she would have been more in
contact with men than women according to the culture of her times. One or two males may have
her ear more often and may have had to work closely with her. But this Madame knew how to
stop short of emotional ties. In our days we have heard many soul ties being formed because of
close working proximity, or project execution, or bonds from being family friends or for
whatever reason applicable.

Sometimes, we assume we are too 'spiritual' to fall.

We assume we are not some starry-eyed teenager! But haha, “he that thinketh he stand take heed
lest he fall”.

We argue that, I’ve been married donkey years, hmm, “he that thinketh he stand, take heed lest
he fall”.

Or we assume, it's an impossible tie, we already have children, what can one possibly be looking
outside for? Our adversary the devil sets traps through innocent means.

Deborah drew a clear distinction between who is who and who. Husband, warlord, messenger,
cabinet member.

She must have put some strategies in place. The process of sin doesn't happen in a day, it must
follow a process. People don't often plan to fall; they actually don’t pay attention to the pointers.
The book of James shows us how sin is hatched.

James 1:13-16

[13] Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with
evil, neither tempteth he any man:

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[14] But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

[15] Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth
forth death.

[16] Do not err, my beloved brethren.

This scripture clearly gives us the step by step process to sin. Concluding by enjoining us not to
be self-deceived.

So, it’s safe to say Deborah put safety rules in place. Let’s glean from her.

STRATEGIES FROM DEBORAH

 Not having secret meetings alone with a man. In our day, that can translate to secret or
consistent phone chats with another man.
 She informed her husband details to keep it above board. This can translate to not having
details that are not wholesome away from him. Staying accountable.
 She kept it at work related matters. She didn't carry her home matters to another man;
gisting him about her personal or family matters.
 She may have fed her cabinet but not via an emotional stretch, mostly duty. Just
assuming. It can translate to not buying stuff for another man just on impulse that you
didn't pass by your husband first.
 Comparison was not her style. She didn't compare Barak to Lappidoth. We have no
record of her husband complaining about her closeness with another man. Such a great
thing to learn in our day where social media is a huge guise for many evils. Beware.
 Not traveling alone with a man not her husband.

Rahab exhibited such strategies too. For a woman with a loose past, she came to a point where a
man trusted her enough to marry her and not go for paternity test for Boaz. She must have taken
steps not too different from Deborah's to ensure that trust was built. If you have a past, help your
husband forget your past by your present discipline. Never get to a time where you think 'nothing
can happen to you'. Joseph fled all appearance of evil and that's still the way, the truth and the
life today. Flee!

Keep healthy boundaries around yourself and around your spouse. Don't go exposing your
husband to danger.

When you see a lady bypassing you always to reach your husband and it’s not business, get
involved.

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When the relationship is just between your husband and a lady alone and you are not part of the
mix, ask questions.

When the discussion goes personal beyond measure, suggest a female counselor for the Sister
(married or single).

Be a cover for your husband. Allow him to be a cover for you.

When you find your heart is drifting often towards that male (sometimes even more than your
husband), pause and analyze the thought. Don't let it take roots. Nip it in the bud.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER ON

 What are your thoughts with regards to the kind of husband/man that Lappidoth might
have been?
 What was Barak afraid of? Why would having Deborah along alleviate those fears?

THE PUNCHLINE

Judges 4.

Her office was between Ramah and Bethel.

Did this office extend to the whole length between two towns? Is the tree wide enough to extend
between two towns? There seems a significance to this mention. Ramah eventually became the
home and office of Samuel the great Prophet many years after her. Bethel was the place of
encounter for Jacob where he saw Angels ascending and descending. Bethel is translated the
house of God.

This woman's office was between 2 strategic places. How coincidental is that?! She chose a
strategic location and positioned herself.

APPLICATION

Be conscious of the atmosphere of the place you live, work or visit. Atmospheres have their
place.

Then if it is not a favorable atmosphere be a climate generator. Change the climate by the God
you carry.
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SHE WAS A GOOD STRATEGIST

Jabin had 900 chariots of iron.

How could Israel discomfiture them. The Israelites’ army strategically went on top of a
mountain. Deborah may not be a soldier, but she had strategy. God must have inspired it in her.
Climbing up the hill would have been harder for the chariots in spite of their number. Men on
foot rush down the hill have the required force to hit on whatever is in their path with force, and
even create fear and unrest for those below them. Gravitational pull came into play, even nature
participated in the revolt against Sisera. Having a good number of footmen (10,000) made the
impact along with the pull heavy on 900 chariots who had the strength of the horse supporting
them.

Again strategy, planning, wisdom of execution, teamwork, trust and boldness and the hand of
God all brought about the result in verse 15.

GOING ON THE OFFENSIVE

Judges 4:14-15

[14] And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered
Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So, Barak went down from mount
Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.

[15]toAnd the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of
the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.

Message translation

14 Deborah said to Barak, “Charge! This very day God has given you victory over Sisera. Isn’t
God marching before you?”

Barak charged down the slopes of Mount Tabor, his ten companies following him.

Ampc translation

15 And the Lord confused and terrified Sisera and all his chariot drivers and all his army before
Barak with the sword. And Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled on foot

Charging down the slope (with a huge following) will result in generating fear and confusion.

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It's a war strategy.

Application

The best winning strategy for winning a war is to be on the offensive; not to be defending.

Intimidate your intimidator. Scare your fear.

Defense comes in after you have acquired your territory. You defend from invaders. But when
it's an enemy, take the battle to the gates. Deal with sickness before it comes. By speaking the
word and living healthy. Don't wait until it has come before you start praying. Keep it at bay by
living out the principles of the Word.

Rub the enemy's face in the dust. Put your foot on the neck of your enemy.

SOME PRACTICAL WAYS TO BE ON THE OFFENSIVE.

 Praise
Genesis 49:8

[8] Judah (interpreted as praise), thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be
in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee.

 Praying in the spirit

Romans 8:26

[26] Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as
we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

 Giving.
Solomon is a good example.

 Building your life with the strong materials from the word of God
 Pleading the blood.
 building the right company around you.
 be bold and very courageous.
 Fasting
 obey instructions. Rahab is a good example

QUESTIONS

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Q1. Which of Deborah’s characteristics would you most like to have or already have? What
would you do if you had that characteristic or a similar characteristic you have, how have you
used it?

Q2. In Judges 4:9, Deborah talks about honor going to a woman instead of to the man. When a
woman succeeds today, how do the men around her typically respond? Why?

Q3. How have you handled situations where you got the job done and you were not recognized
for it and someone else took the honour or was given the honour?

THE CALL

What a legacy and an inspiration Deborah left behind for us to glean from. One of the admirable
qualities she possessed was her confidence in God. She did not just see herself as a woman but as
a vessel being used of God. She used her power of influence as a woman to produce the right
Godly results that benefited not just her but all of Israel. Wow!

Here are some scriptures that we can make confessions of:

1 Peter 2:17

“Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king”.

2 Corinthians 5:21

“He made Christ Who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the
righteousness of God”

1 Corinthians 1:30

“But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God”

Proverbs 28:1

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“The wicked flee when no one pursues them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion”

Galatians 3:28

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female for you who
believe are all one in Christ Jesus (no one can claim a spiritual superiority)” – AMP version.

2 Timothy 2:21

“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things (which are dishonourable, dishonest
and sinful), he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified (set apart for a special purpose) and useful
to the Master, prepared for every good work.

Is there anyone reading this book that is yet to make Jesus, Lord and Saviour over your life?

Why not do so today; as the scripture says, “today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart”

Please repeat this simple prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I acknowledge my sins and know that I am a sinner and I realize that I need a
Saviour. I confess with my mouth that You Jesus, You are Lord and I believe in my heart
that God raised You from the grave and as such I am saved. I declare and believe that
there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of
the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. Thank You
Jesus for paying the price for my salvation and I receive You in my heart today. Amen”.

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DARING JAEL

FACILITATED BY Sister Joy Ali.

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MEET HER

Our key scripture is Judges 4 and 5.

The name Jael means "A Wild or Mountain Goat". She was the wife of Heber, a Kenite and she
dwelled in the tent.

Jael was a decisive and courageous woman who knew how to seize opportunities. When the time
was right, she stepped up and slew an enemy of God's people. Sisera told her to say no one was
there if she was asked, but as soon as he fell into an exhausted sleep, Jael picked up a tent peg
and hammer, her arm was steady, her aim sure. Sisera, the great general, lay dead, slain by a
woman's hand, just as Deborah had prophesied to Barak.

Was Jael a hero, an opportunist or a treacherous woman? She was a hero! For a woman to try to
kill a general, that was a heroic move.

Our study is centered on this act of Jael that brought her to prominence.

So, start thinking about those situations that have kept you bound and oppressed like the
Israelites had been for twenty years, trust the God of Isreal, assuredly, you'll nail them down and
have peace.

Daniel 11:32b....but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits....

Judges 4:21.

Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly
unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast
asleep and weary. So, he died.

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Notice a couple of lessons to learn from this verse.

Jael was a woman who dwelt in the tent. To have achieved the feat of killing General Sisera, it
means that she didn't let her gender, location and or occupation hinder her, rather, she used them
to her advantage.

Her being a woman, may have made the General to trust her. He couldn't imagine that a woman
would attempt to kill him, let alone succeed at it. Lo, he was fatally wrong.

As women, we have more power and potential than we attribute to ourselves. We can look
inwards to draw up those powers to save our homes and our generations after us. Even Israel
wouldn't believe that their oppression of 20years was rolled away by the hands of a woman.
Wow!!! Unlock the greatness within you.

Say out loud-'I must arise and deliver God's expectation over my life'.

Dwelling in the tent is similar to being a stay-at-home woman.

This means, if you are a stay-at-home woman, that's not a disadvantage. We just saw now that
Sisera only met Jael at home that hour because she wasn't somewhere in the office.... away from
home. She needed to be home to take him in. You see?

What do you usually do when you're home? How are your hours spent?

Reflect today, and if you've not been making the most of your stay at home, re-prioritize. Look
out for something productive and fulfilling to do.

Even from the confines of your home, you can save a nation! Halleluyah!!!

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UPLINE CONNECTION

Jael was married to a descendant of Moses's father in-law. So, she may have known the story of
the Israelites very well and may have been drawn to them, even though not being one of them.
Also, being close family friends with King Jabin, she may have had the privilege to know of the
terrifying things Sisera had been doing to the people of Israel, which could have disgusted her.

God led Sisera to the tent of a woman who may have had compassion for the people of Israel and
disgust for the evil Sisera did in order to accomplish His plans. God knew quite well that Jael
could and would accomplish the mission.

Pause and ponder on this question: Am I a vessel God can use when he has a mission to
accomplish?

From the beginning she had a plan, that was why she gave him milk instead of water. Milk
induces sleep.

It wasn't just courage on Jael's part that made her kill Sisera. God's word had already gone forth
through Deborah that the honor of that battle would go to a woman.

The prophecy didn't necessarily have Jael's name written on it but she aligned herself with God
on what He was doing, that's where her strength and courage came from, that's where the
wisdom to do what she did came from, it was from God she got the boldness to still all her fears
and "what ifs"( just imagine what would have happened if Sisera woke up as she was in the
process of killing him), well, she acted out in faith in spite of the odds.

That's how God wants us to live. God has chosen to use the weak things of the world to
confound the mighty.

The word of God behind the tent peg in the hands of a woman, who might have had faith.

The role God played in this is that God hearkened or watched over His Word to perform it as
Jeremiah 1:12 and Psalm 103:20 say. God also displayed His mercy on Israel by delivering their
enemies right into their hands to be defeated. That was why Sisera was on foot in the first place.

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NOTE THIS: It is your disposition that determines the assignment God gives to you. So, if you
are not seeing God use you to accomplish His plans, then please check your disposition to sin, to
the things of God, etc.

SIDELINE CONNECTION

Jael must have had a pleasing, welcoming disposition to make the tired soldier relax enough to
not only come in but lie down and sleep deeply.

Since her family had a good relationship with King Jabin, it's arguable that this was not Sisera's
first time in their tent. Her welcome on this fateful day was no different from previous times.
After all he was a prominent man to King Jabin.

She threw her tent door open and offered a coolant to a weary man. As to being informed of
happenings around her, she was in the know. Though her family were not part of the ones
afflicted with the 900 iron chariots, she was not forgetful of her immediate neighbors who were
under oppression. She could be content with her own space and not intrude on her neighbors but
no not her; she was concerned.

On the day of the battle, an opportunity to act in favour of the oppressed showed up and she
chose to help the downtrodden than be content with the favour of the king.

She was a woman who practiced neighbourliness. A neighbourliness not based on kinsmen, tribe,
religion or political affiliation.

She recognized when wrong was wrong and right was right; and when an opening to help put an
end to oppression of a neighbour came, she didn't shut her eyes, her tent door or her ears.

Rather she brought out tools for the business at hand. Unlikely but definite tools at that. Milk,
blanket, tent peg and hammer.

Lessons here include

 Work on having pleasant disposition. A warm smile will do your own general health
good as much as it warms the receiver.
 Side with the truth always.
 Do not turn a deaf ear to the cry for help around you.
 Your tools needn't be fanciful, just make sure they are usable.
 Be neighbourly.

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  Offer good things not shabby and worn out things.

Whenever there is a choice between good and evil, no matter how much it might hurt, let us ask
God for the courage and confidence to choose good. The family of Jael had a good relationship
with the family of Sisera and that probably informed his decision to run into their tent for safety.

However, she chose friendship with God and His people over and above any other friendships. In
addition, she was at home and probably did not know that Israel was winning the battle, yet she
played her role in doing right. Perhaps if he escaped and they won the war, she/her family may
have been given a high reward or position. She did not consider all that, she just consulted with
the promptings in her heart and did right. That is what has the greatest reward. Our humble best;
led and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

When Sisera asked for a drink of water and Jael instead gave him milk, she was offering the best
of the house. Judges 4:19.

That was a brilliant idea. It helped her to achieve her goal.

What is our best? Are we offering it? How is it paying off?

This could translate into how we do our work in the office.

Do we only cover grounds that will be inspected, rather than doing what is expected?

Do we give our best to our friendships?

Are we giving our best to our husbands?

What about our children? Are they getting the best of us?

Judges 4:21 – Precision; her hands were steady; her aim was sure.

As we go on our everyday activities, let's do things properly and not haphazardly, they'll count
for generations to come. Jael gave her best and then did her best. The outcome was mind
blowing and lasting.

This victory has a definite tie to her manner of approach from the onset of her invitation and
prior relationship.

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PUNCHLINE

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in
advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

We all have great plans and desires in life. We want to do something significant in life. But most
of the times we feel weak and inadequate. So, when opportunities come, we cease to take hold of
them. Do you feel insignificant today? God wants to use you no matter what you condition is.
Open up to Him and offer Him your dreams and plans.

Use what you have.

Jael did not have a chariot. She did not have a military training or weapons. She was not a judge
or prophetess like Deborah. Jael had nothing compared to the big money and items other men
and women had, but Jael used what she had. What did she have? She had some milk and a
blanket. She had a nail, a tent peg, and a hammer.

The tools were not initially meant for war or execution but when she needed to use something
she went inside and used what she had.

What tools do you have lying dormant or meant for something else but can still be used.?

God sent us to earth equipped and with gifts. We wonder, “Could anybody do a great work with
those tools?” Yet, Jael used it for the glory of God.

You may think that what you have is little but that little is much in the hand of God. What do you
have? You may look at your life today and say, “Really I have nothing.” Do you have a smile?
Do you have the word of God in your hand? Do you have children to whom you can minister to?
What do you have? What has God given you? Jael simply used what she had, and God allowed
that to destroy Israel’s enemy, Sisera.

In order to take certain steps regarding a battle we must have courage and strength to stomach
the process. This strength, God gives us opportunity to develop before we encounter any battle;
there is a process in preparation for breakthrough and a price to pay.

35 | P a g e
The role of the Holy Spirit in us cannot be overemphasized. As believers today, we must be rest
assured that God will perform His Word over us but we must be diligent and willing to obey the
instructions of the Holy Spirit regardless of how He conveys the instructions to us.

When we do so, we cannot be casualties in the hands of the enemy and God can deliver our
enemies right to us to conquer.

Most likely killing must have been against all Jael believed in. It goes against every rule of being
hospitable. It is important we don’t get caught by a "this is how we do it" or "this is the way God
answered before" mindset. We must always be sensitive in the Spirit to know what his
promptings are regarding our victories and breakthroughs.

Jael was a very strategic and calculative woman.

Some of her strategies were;

1) Going over and beyond. Sisera asked for water and she gave him milk.

2) She also was not forceful. She was bold and fierce but not forceful.

3) Take note of the highlighted and underlined words please...

Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly
unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast
asleep and weary. So, he died. Judges 4:21.

She went softly when he was fast asleep and weary. Hmmmm.....

No matter how noble our intentions are, if we take steps without proper consideration of manner
and timing, we will lose terribly. Consideration here means following the lead of the Holy spirit
within us.

Imagine what horrid things Sisera would have done to Jael if she had missed her target. But she
waited, till he was fast asleep, then she went softly.

The Bible calls us soldiers of Christ.

Jael seemed a woman after the order of king David. She knew all the things Sisera was capable
of, he had held a whole nation ransom.

But all God needs is a willing vessel.

Though the Bible did not record this, judging from her actions, one can deduce that she may
have acted in faith; faith to believe that where nations had failed, she could succeed; that is the
audacity of faith. One can also deduce that she was courageous; it took courage to do what she
did to Sisera.
36 | P a g e
Only faith made David believe he could conquer Goliath. With that same faith the kingdom and
reign of Sisera came crashing down.

God is the God of the impossible. He still wants us to do the impossible today. Do not
underestimate the power at work in you. Where nations failed Jael succeeded, where men failed
Jael succeeded. As a woman do you feel powerless? God is your strength, by Him nations are
subdued. Is there anything too hard for Him?

Jael was prepared when the time and season came just like David.

The Israelites knew they were going to war against Sisera, God knew ahead of time but not Jael;
but like David she knew when her timing came. That she wasn't there during the planning did not
stop her, she was an unknown woman. It still didn't stop her. She may have never hurt a fly
before... But she knew when it was time to put a stop to the oppression of lsrael by Sisera.

David used the tools he was conversant with, Jael also used conversant tools to slay the giant of
their day.

ADDITIONAL TAKE HOME

Sisera needed where to 'hide and rest'.

Ask yourself 'what is that enemy looking for where to 'hide and rest',' around me?

It could be a new attitude or character or anything creeping into your lives or family and
relationships to get comfortable. It could be a compromise.

Jael took a tent peg, and a hammer. Remember, God likened His Word to a hammer, Jael drove
the peg into his head of that enemy. So should you! Drive the nail of the word of God in and lay
that enemy to rest.

Titus 2:11–14

11 For the gracej of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled,
upright and godly lives in this present age,

13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior,
Jesus Christ,

14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickednesss and to purify for himself a people
that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
37 | P a g e
Recognize whatever enemy is creeping into your house; - flush them, sweep them out or take
them out.

Think on these lines below...

"Hide and Rest"

Who is inhabiting this temple of mine?

Who have I given invitation and let in?

Who am I entertaining with the best (milk instead of water)?

Jesus is knocking.

Satan is roaming.

Who have I let in?

Sisera was a general, many favours would have come to them supposing she harboured himself
from his enemies. But she didn't negotiate with him. She could have said to herself, 'this man is
well known, rich and famous, I will seek for a favor in return'. But NO, she recognized what
purpose she had to play; she achieved and accomplished it.

Hallelujah! She recognized this man as an enemy that should be dealt a death blow no matter
how enticing his gifts were.

Here is a thought to ponder upon; How clear is our vision to recognize strangers and potential
enemies when they enter our homes, lives and relationships?

Jael recognized that this man was Sisera, an enemy, and she did the needful and Israel had peace.
The peace of so many destinies are in our hands, where are our tools and what are we doing with
them?

THE CALL
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Talking about always giving and doing our best, it was not just a coincidental mention in Jael's
case, it is God’s standard.

Colossians 3:23.... Whatever we do, we should do it as unto God and not as to man.
(Paraphrased).

David, the man after God's heart said to Araunah in 2 Samuel 24... “I will not offer burnt
sacrifice to God which cost me nothing” (paraphrased).

How is our service unto God?

Is it done heartily, or grudgingly?

God deserves our best. The best of our time, resources, giftings, etc...

Let Him always have the first and the best from us...

Halleluyah....

God desires for you to be that woman he can work through.

You can be His battle axe. No matter your sphere in life, you have a role to play to someone.
Your neighbors, colleagues or widows/orphans/the oppressed.

James 1:27

[27] Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and
widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

 Repent for times of complacency about needs around you.

 Ask for grace to stand for the truth.
 We would not cower in fear but will by faith subdue kingdoms. We will take the battle to
the gates.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father help us submit to your will each and every moment of our lives and each
and every fiber of our beings. Enable us to be instruments in Your hands emanating the
good works you have planned to accomplish through us. Amen.

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TREACHEROUS
DELILAH

FACILITATED BY Sis Mabel Ajayi.

POEM

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A woman of the world indeed

She knows how to have her way with men

She has the power to make the mighty and strong men fall to their knees.

Powerful in negotiations to promote her interests alone.

The dread of mothers and wives alike but loved by men.

Men who are keen to go beyond boundaries

Woman of darkness woman of the world

So beautiful yet treacherous

So lovely yet greedy

So, alluring yet deadly

So glamorous yet selfish

So soft yet with the tenacity of a viper

So gentle yet fierce in pursuit of her desire

So soft yet strong enough to bring the mighty down

A paradox indeed who

professed to love but loved money more

A spirit so strong that men who sleep on her lap

loose vision, ministries, legacies and life.

By Sis Hamdalla Adelaiye

MEET HER

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TEXT: JUDGES 16:4-22

The name Delilah means Amorous, Temptress, Dwindler. The woman who tricked Samson.
Delilah lived in the Valley of Sorek. She is the only woman in Samson's story whose name was
mentioned.

The Bible said Samson loved Delilah but not that the love was reciprocated. She was a beautiful
woman who used her beauty to betray her lover, “Samson” to enrich herself. The Philistines
hated Samson and for a long time had been trying to know the source of his power in order to
silence him.

The opportunity presented itself when they discovered that Samson had fallen in love with
Delilah. She was bribed by the Philistines lords to entrap Samson.

Delilah coaxed him into revealing that the secret of his strength was his long hair. She took
advantage of his trust to betray him.

Her name is usually associated with treacherous, voluptuous women.

Delilah, an enigma and a paradox in her own right who had great potential.

She was purpose driven.

A goal getter.
A fearless woman.
Strong and determined.
An intelligent woman.
A consistent and a persistent woman.
She was unstoppable.
She used the instruments at her disposal to achieve her aim.

If she had put all her potential into positive use she wouldn't have been likened to a treacherous
woman.

UPLINE TOUCH

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We were not told if Delilah was an Israelite or a Philistine. We were told she abode in the
Valley of Sorek.

From the fallout of her deeds, we can deduce that she was not a woman given to seeking God.
She was not living a holy life through the law of the God Israel.

We were not told Samson married her, but she could boldly put his head on her lap.

Not once was Delilah noted to be praying to God. The deal she contracted to betray another
human for self-gain shows she was more concerned with self-gain than for another, even one
who was in love with her.

She forged an alliance with men who were set against the covenant, and who at that point in
history were the tormentors of Israel.

She took the side of the tormentors rather than the side of God, His chosen judge Samson or the
people of God.

From all these we can indeed say that, at this point in history she was not a “God chaser”.

Matthew 7:20

[20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

SIDELINE CONNECTION

Judge 16:16

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With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death.

What kind of nagging was this? It seems this kind of nagging could send Samson relocating to
the "rooftop".

Delilah was truly an influential woman. She welded so much power over Samson. One would
have thought that after begging Samson sore to tell her the source of his power, and each time
calling upon his enemies when she thought she had him subdued, would have been a warning to
Samson to steer clear of her. Alas, he seemed oblivious.

It seemed Samson trusted her with his life. He neither felt threatened nor unsafe in her company.
He seemed at peace, peaceful enough to sleep on her laps with reckless abandon. She had a
cooling effect on him, she was soft, loving and someone anyone would love to be with.

She used these qualities to her advantage. She lured him, subdued him and finally entrapped him
to his own peril. Betraying his confidence.

 She got what she wanted by imploring subtlety and gentleness.

 She was persistent, even when Samson lied three times. She never gave up.

 She wasn't discouraged by Samson’s previous answers/lies.

 She was unrelenting and tenacious.

 She had a never give up attitude.

APPLICATION

These are qualities that when applied rightly, can help us influence our world, to bring about
positive change in the lives of our husbands and children. These are qualities that are
instrumental for soul winning.

Judges 16:18

[18] And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of
the Philistines, saying, come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of
the Philistines came up unto her and brought money in their hand.

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We were not told Delilah had a connection with God, but she obviously had connection with
men. She had a knowledge of human nature. She understood how the human mind of functions.

Judges 16: 18 shows this aspect of her knowledge.

She was able to distinguish the intensity, gravity or texture of what she was told.

She positioned people around to help to test each lie Samson told her. It is probably safe to
assume that she explained them as jokes to him and to test his theory.

Samson fell for this explanation because he had formed a habit of playing down in grave matters.
He did this at his wedding ceremony. Cracked jokes during such a heavy matter. He had
deadened his own senses to the turn of events. He's sensitivity was dulled by vain babblings.

That is why one must always treat important things as such. Do not cast pearls before swine.
The Bible talked about vain babbling. Avoid it. Delilah could make such attempts on his life
because he had crossed that line himself and he swallowed it because he had toyed with
important things himself.

But, when he told her the truth also, SHE KNEW! Her language to the lords changed also and
they came with their agreement in hand.

Judges 16:18

[18] And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of
the Philistines, saying; come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of
the Philistines came up unto her and brought money in their hand.

APPLICATION

There are matters that you must treat as important. They may be yours personally, your
husband's or even some other persons’ matters. KNOW when a matter is important and treat it as
such.

Relate with others from your heart.

Relating this to our views of the Bible, we often waver at the promises because of our own
hearts’ attitude concerning relationships and our words. If we take and keep our words with
gravity, we would know that the Word of God is infallible.

Most times we have a mental ascent to matters of the Word of God. We know it generally. It has
not lodged in our hearts as infallible laws. We miss out on its potency that way. When we truly
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know, we would have a different attitude to life. David, knowing that He had the backing of God
as a non-militant boy challenged a huge “armed to the teeth soldier”.

Faith is born in our hearts when we truly KNOW AND BELIEVE what we hear, read, or say.
Start where you are but continue to study until you truly believe. No promise will fail of His
word when we truly BELIEVE.

So, Delilah heard the truth of Samson’s heart and recognized it for what it was, “the truth”. God
has sent us the truth of his heart through his Word. Step into the water in faith.

PUNCHLINE

The essence of these studies is to help us to see the opportunities God presents to us daily which
we miss at times. Often because we fail to focus. We might focus on blaming others. Delilah

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could have used her liaison with the Philistine lords to help Samson but she chose rather to
betray him.

In most of these studies we have done, we see that these women weren't exactly 'righteous' but
their choices at certain pivotal times distinguished them. Jael wasn't an Israelite, but when the
opportunity presented itself, she chose to kill Sisera.

Why does God use women like these? Why isn't he focused on using the prayerful God-fearing
women? Why are there three women with 'questionable' histories in the genealogy of Christ. It is
partly because God does not judge or see as we do.

Delilah and Rahab could easily have swapped places; the same opportunity came their way. We
all have opportunities laid before us, what choice are we making?

-Jochebed chose to keep her son

-Rahab chose to hide the spies

-Jael chose to kill Sisera

-Deborah chose to go to the battle

-Ruth chose to follow Naomi

-Even Samson's mother chose to raise her son as the Lord had commanded and he judged Israel
killing the Philistines even until his death.

Note that God does not judge people for their weaknesses, because he knows that the strength to
overcome them can only come from Him. He judges them for their choices. Abraham chose to
obey God, and amidst his many weaknesses God counted that obedience as righteousness.

Delilah had a golden opportunity with Samson; which is LOVE and TRUST, but she missed it.
She chose wealth. Choose this day who you will serve Joshua said. What choices are you
making?

Like Delilah, we have the head of our husbands on our thighs, what are we doing with that
opportunity, Building or Destroying?

JUDGES 16:15-17

From the story of Samson and Delilah, you may wonder, "what good can I learn from such a
wayward" woman. A lot!

This woman had great virtues which she used negatively due to greed and selfishness.

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Delilah nagged Samson almost to the point of death until he could no longer resist but gave in to
revealing his secret to her.

 Delilah sure knew how to press in and persist. She reminds one of the story of the
persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8, who repeatedly troubled the Judge to grant her justice
and her persistence made a way for her.

APPLICATION

How is your prayer life?

Do you easily give up in prayers?

Do you get tired of asking? Let’s learn the pressing in skill from Delilah today and use it
positively to unlock those stubborn doors. Don't take No, for an answer.

 Delilah had great faith in her would-be rewarders. She believed and trusted them not to
fail in fulfilling their own part of the bargain.
So, she set her faith to work, not wavering but putting in all efforts to achieve her goal. she
didn't get discouraged even when she was deceived thrice.

APPLICATION

When we pray as children of God, do we pray with unbelief in our hearts? A wavering heart
cannot receive from God (James 1:6).

We should pray with our faith intact. Even when we experience delays, let us keep believing
because faithful is He that promised, who also would do it. (Hebrews 10:23, I Thessalonians
5:24).

We must believe that God is the rewarder of them who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6). Without faith
it is impossible to please God.

We need faith to activate God's promises. Receive that grace to pray in faith in Jesus Christ
Name, Amen.

 Delilah's motivation was on the gain (1,100 shekels of silver from each of the Philistines
lords). It was huge wasn't it? She was highly motivated by the gain she had not seen.
Waoooo! Just a mere promise given by mere men who have the tendency to fail. Yet, she
did so much to ensure she delivered on her promise.

APPLICATION

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Delilah was so motivated by the promise of mere men that fail. We should be motivated by the
promises of God! God never fails.

When praying, do I pray with faith or fear? Sacrifices may need to be made. Like fasting,
studying the word, forgiveness, obedience, evangelism etc. To satisfy my part of the
covenant/bargain.

Be reassured of God's dependability from the scriptures below.

Jeremiah 32:27

I am the Lord, is there anything too hard for me to do?

Do not give up in the place of prayers. Keep pressing ink like Delilah. Results are on the way.

Let our motivation be high. Faithful is He that has promised; Who also would do it.

 Delilah played out the meaning of her name.

What is the meaning of your name?

What do you call your children?

Names are powerful and they have great influence on the bearer.

This lady definitely had other good hidden qualities inside of her as a creature of God, but she
couldn't play them out because that is not what she was called everyday (confession).

The confession that was made on her through people every day was: Amorous, Temptress,
Dwindler by reason of her name.

 Delilah's seduction brought Samson to the point of exasperation.

APPLICATION

As godly women, we ought to be tenacious and relentless in our faith. We seduce our husbands
in a healthy and godly way. Seduction is an innate feature we possess as women, but as
believers, we should seduce within godly boundaries.

THOUGHT PROVOKING QUESTION

Should godly wives talk, prod, remind, suggest, pester, trouble, disturb, bother and even torment
husbands when there is a need for something? Perhaps for a new car, a lovely dress, money or
even things for the home?

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This could make them miserable. In the quests of how, when, what, sometimes we push too far,
and they borrow. Unbelieving males sometimes steal to satisfy a woman.

Greed blinded Delilah. Greed can fester from envy of friends or sisters who wear new clothes
and change cars.

If we get to pestering husbands for things beyond what they can afford the essence of such
unions can be lost because of such pestering.

Proverbs 21:19

[19] It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

For every mission in life we need God's direction Proverb 1:7, Proverbs 31:30.

QUESTION

How do wives exploit their husband’s weaknesses or strength as the case maybe?

POSSIBLE ANSWERS

God asked husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church.

Men have the power, women have the influence, a wife should use her influence positively to
build her home as a wise wife and not negatively to tear it down as a foolish wife.

Husbands’ weaknesses should not in any way empower wives to lose their humanness and
destroy their husbands. The weakness maybe laziness, joblessness, or lack of money. The things
that generally make them “manly”.

It's possible for one to take advantage of a spouse's weakness. Every woman should allow the
Holy Spirit to teach her the fear of the Lord. That is the only way to depart from evil.

If a woman does not allow the fear of God to rule her heart, she will take advantage of her man.
Same with the men.

THE CALL

JUDGES 16: 18

When Delilah realized that he had revealed everything to her, she sent word to the Philistines
rulers saying: “come back once more, he has told me everything"
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So, the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands in order to give to Delilah
to fulfill their own part of the promise to her.

A promise is binding, and it is important to keep promises. When promises are broken, the bond
of trust is breached.

Our God is all wise. He deals with us based on His covenant promises. There are over three
thousand (3000) promises in the Bible and yet God will not fail in fulfilling them in our lives. He
said, “I watch over My word to perform it” (Jeremiah. 1:12, Ezekiel 12:25).

One of God's promise spoken by Jesus is:

" Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden. And I will give you rest " (Matthew 11:
28).

God remembers His promise as soon as a sinner turns to Him. He remembered Samson when he
called out to Him.

God fulfills this promise when we freely admit that we have sinned and confess our sins. He is
faithful and just, true to His nature and promises and will forgive our sins, dismiss our
lawlessness and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

Isaiah 55:11

So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: It shall not return to me void without
producing any effect, useless, but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it
shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Our God is faithful to all His promises and loving towards all He has made.

Psalm 145:14

The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

We want to believe all readers have taken the crucial step to secure their lives and destinies in
God along with those of their family members. But we don't want to assume.

Hopefully, this study of Delilah is poking you to take a look again. Please do! Take
responsibility for the direction of your life.

Jesus has a plan that covers your now and your hereafter.

Bow your head and repeat this word.

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LORD JESUS, I APPRECIATE YOUR SACRIFICE FOR ME ON THE CROSS, I
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ON MY OWN, I CAN'T HELP MYSELF, I ACCEPT YOUR
LOVE AND I REPENT OF MY SINS. I MAKE YOU LORD OF MY LIFE. I CALL YOU
FATHER. LEAD ME, GUIDE ME, TEACH ME! IN JESUS NAME.

In line with this praying we would take a tenacious stand in prayer now.

Delilah used her influence over Samson and led him to total destruction, as women knowing we
always have audience with God, we should press into God, to get what we want, for our children,
husbands, extended family members, church or people God has placed around us.

Delilah didn't give up easily, in fact she pressed harder until Samson snapped. We would press
to hear what God is saying and what His will is concerning us. Perseverance! But in the right
direction as we take these prayer points:

 Pray that God deliver our husbands and children from the Delilahs of this generation.
 Pray that we will be passionate for good. Passionate for souls. Receive a fresh passion for
souls. That is God's heartbeat and the harvest is ripe. Lord we pray you send forth more
labourers including me! We bind fear and complacency.
 Pray that the promises of God will be our motivation to serve Him better in Jesus name.

BEREAVED NAOMI

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FACILITATED BY Sis Sarah Bassey

POEM

Don't you dare call me Joy

It's a wicked irony

Call me Marah

Summary of my existence

I left full but came back empty

The ones I love the most gone

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In the hill country of Moab

I counted my losses

Shed bitter tears

I thought all was lost

Surely all hope was gone

But Yahweh who is Almighty

All knowing has restored my hope

And on my knees, I carry Obed

My God!

A loving restorer He owes no man

By Sis Hamdalla Adelaiye

MEET HER

Naomi is a woman who suffered a threefold tragedy. She was a believer in God's sovereignty and
attributed her suffering to His will. She must have been a kind and loving mother-in-law to have
inspired deep-seated love and loyalty in her daughters-in-law. Especially Ruth who left all to
follow Naomi to Naomi's homeland.

Key Scripture: Ruth 1; 4:13 – 17

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Naomi means pleasantness of Jehovah, my Joy or my Bliss.

It denotes someone of charm and attractiveness. Naomi married Elimelech. Even though nothing
is mentioned of her genealogy, Elimelech belonged to one of the outstanding families in Israel,
being a brother of Salmon, descendant of Judah who married Rahab.

There was famine in Israel at the time we meet her and Elimelech.
"My love, are we done packing yet?" asked Elimelech

"Almost Hun, just two more bags to be loaded on the donkey" she answered, calling after
Mahlon and Chilion, her two sons to quit playing and join their dad outside. - narrative

If only she knew!

In taking the initiative to relocate to Moab, Elimelech and Naomi stepped out of God's will. In
those days’ famine was a sign of God's judgment upon Israel. Fleshly speaking - it seemed like
the natural thing to do, a man would not sit around and watch his family die of hunger when
there was abundance somewhere else, would he?

How could he not remember that Bethlehem meant "house of Bread" and that his own name was
"my God is king", they left The House of Bread for Moab meaning "waste or nothingness".
Hmmmm

It's only in God we can truly find home.

When she heard of the return of bread to Israel, she packed her bags and headed home. She
didn't allow the feeling of shame over what people would say when she got back to Bethlehem
stop her. Bethlehem was where she belonged.

Orpah and Ruth also came along, but along the way she entreated them to return to their people,
Orpah did, while Ruth stuck to Naomi.

Naomi had a rousing welcome when she got back home, she must have been a very good
neighbour, after over 10 years away, all the women came out to celebrate her and welcome Ruth
too. As women we need to pray that our husbands are led by God, Elimelech could have stayed
back and joined his kinsmen to pray, he chose Moab instead and left God. When issues of life
stare us in the face, is it easier to travel down Moab?

Qualities to be emulated in Naomi:

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  She was an example of a good mother-in-law: - She must have treated her daughters-in-
law nicely for them to insist on continuing with her even after the death of their
husbands. After all they were still young and without children.

 She had a good influence on her daughters-in-law for them to have made the move to
follow her.

 She spoke about God to them for Ruth to say, "your God will be my God".

 She was kind to them; 'kindness begat kindness'...she said they were kind to her Ruth
1:8b.

 She was a nice woman/in-law, because she was one of the reasons Boaz was kind to Ruth
and gave her extra benefits...he knew the food would be for two...if she had been wicked,
he most likely wouldn't have acted this way.

 She took note of the sacrifice/work Ruth did...she was not ungrateful - Ruth 2:18-19.

 She provided good advice/guidance as a mother-in-law to Ruth to the extent that Ruth
said she would do all she said Ruth 3:5.

 She secured Ruth's future. Ruth 3:1-4. Though in securing Ruth's future, she was securing
her own as well. Yet selfishness in people can get to the level of even denying themselves
of a benefit just to prevent another person from theirs.

 She provided a reassuring, comforting, emboldening and calming effect on her daughter
in law. Ruth 3:18..."Sit still, my daughter..."

 She breastfed the child born by Ruth.

Naomi's experience must have birth bitterness, anger, disappointment and despair in her.

UPLINE TOUCH
The pilgrimage of Naomi on earth is something that resonates in the lives of believers called by
God who stray from His presence and who find their path back to Him again.

Firstly, the spiritual stand of Elimelech and Naomi comes to question as the parents of Mahlon
and Chilion at the time of the children's birth.

Mahlon means to become weak, sick, afflicted, to grieve, make sick, become wounded and to be
in pain.
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Chilion means destruction, consumption, failing, destroy and consume away.

Wow, what were they thinking?! Imagine prophesying those words daily in that home, and on
one's children? Is the outcome of their lives a surprise then?

At the time Naomi was going back to Bethlehem it was simply an act of faith. Those two women
working as mentor and mentee truly encouraged each other as iron sharpeneth iron. The words
of loyalty and commitment from Ruth’s mouth were indeed the Rhema that Naomi needed. Ruth
was a Moabitess (devil worshipper) who was turning her back completely from that lifestyle
forever to follow Yahweh.

Faith moves God. We see Naomi’s perspective on life and her utterances change from then on,
giving Ruth Godly counsel in a step by step fashion as one working under the unction of the
chief strategist in whom there is no variableness or shadow of turning. From there on, it was an
uphill journey into and through the lineage of grace. A setting of a legacy that goes through
thousands of years to generations yet unborn.

God is a master planner, He is not slack concerning His promises, He is no respecter of persons.
So out of her losses, pain and agony God brought forth an enduring legacy. He is still in that
business today no matter the choices we have made or how far we have taken matters into our
own hands. If we return to our Bethlehem (HOUSE OF BREAD) where Elimelech (GOD IS
KING) there will be total restoration of our Naomi (our joy, pleasantness).

Before her turn around, because of all the tragedies/loss/sorrow she experienced, she got
negative-minded, depressed, despondent and/or overwhelmed by all. This is evidenced by;

 She said God's hand had gone against her (which, judging by all that happened, might
seem true to her). But she could have taken a different/milder stance like Job who said "
"the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh, blessed be the name of the Lord..."shall we receive
good from God and not evil" Job 1:21;2:10 ...(Job said some "negative" things too like
cursing the day he was born but the most important thing is that Bible says he didn't sin
with his lips and God was pleased with him overall). Further still, we did not hear Naomi
talking about her own role in all that happened to her. When things go wrong, we should
assess where we went wrong.

 She said she "pitied" more or was more concerned about the daughters-in-law in all than
she was about herself... that sounds like she gave up all hope for herself.

 She had no plan on how to carry on the name of her husband, she didn't try to persuade
them to follow her, she didn't try to explain that they might get a relative who they might
marry to sustain the family name. Which was the custom at the time. She outrightly
discouraged them. She told them she could not marry again and even if she did, they
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 couldn't wait till she had more sons. She even encouraged them to go back to their gods!
Ruth 1:12-13,15;1:20.

These all go to show the state of her mind/her level of low morale and energy to start all over
again...You can always start all over again! There is always light at the end of the tunnel. With
God's help, He is always willing! Really, Ruth was the hope/ray of light in her life.

Ruth 1:16-18...
Thank God that Ruth had a personal knowledge and/or revelation of what to do and enough to
make this declaration.......verse18...after the declaration, that was when she stopped trying to
convince her.
In life, we must face challenges, who we are becoming as we go through these challenges is the
true test of growth. Seasons of famine will come; do you endure in those seasons? Do you get
angry at God and journey towards Moab?

In those times when God keeps silent for a while are you patient? In times when you desperately
need God to show up, and the response you need is not forthcoming, how is your attitude?

In Romans 8: 35 Paul asks

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ, shall trouble or hardship or persecution or
FAMINE or nakedness or danger or sword?”

The answer for us should be NOTHING.

He that endures to the end (till the Lord shows up on his case) shall be saved.
Lamentations 3:25-26:

"The Lord is good to those who wait for Him... It is good for a man to hope and wait quietly for
the salvation of the Lord".

Lamentations 3:11-26

He has turned aside my ways and torn me in pieces; He has made me desolate. He has bent His
bow and set me up as a target for the arrow. He has caused the arrows of His quiver to pierce
my loins. I have become the ridicule of all my people— Their taunting song all day. He has filled
me with bitterness; He has made me drink wormwood. He has also broken my teeth with gravel
and covered me with ashes. You have moved my soul far from peace; I have forgotten prosperity.
And I said, "My strength and my hope Have perished from the LORD." Remember my affliction
and roaming, The wormwood and the gall. My soul still remembers and sinks within me. This I
recall to my mind; Therefore, I have hope. [Through] the LORD's mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not. [They are] new every morning; Great [is] Your faithfulness. "

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The LORD [is] my portion," says my soul, " Therefore I hope in Him!" The LORD [is] good to
those who wait for Him, To the soul [who] seeks Him. [It is] good that [one] should hope and
wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Challenges or trials should bring out the best of God on our insides. James 1:1-4,

James 1:2-4

[2] My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations;

[3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

[4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Every trial or challenge is an opportunity for growth, whether spiritual, social or mental. Even a
grain of seed must undergo pressure to finally germinate if not it abides alone.

Embracing this kind of mindset will cause exponential growth as we lean on the grace of God to
carry us through the process.

SIDELINE CONNECTIONS

There are many scenarios we can concoct and deduce from this story based on our own
inclinations, thoughts and tendencies...which are not necessarily wrong...but the safest way may
be to deduce based on what is written in the Bible...

Elimelech as the husband may have taken the main decision to go to Moab, but it could just as
well have been a joint decision. This deduction is based on the below reasons:

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 1. After her husband died, why didn't she return to Bethlehem? The Bible records that she
lived there for at least another ten years with her sons (who she married off in a strange
land) and daughters-in- law.

2. It was not until she heard that God had visited his people that it occurred to her to return
even after the death of her two sons Ruth 1:6.

Lost...Angry... Hopeless...Afraid. She concluded I will never know joy again. But God had a
better plan. Should she have been more determined in reasoning with her husband? Maybe
confide in the elders or family people to persuade him to stay back?

The land God gave them was flowing with milk and honey. Wives tend to have a natural
sensitivity to things more than their husbands. That's why a wife can perceive and tell the
husband some ill feelings she has about his friends and associates.

Naomi is likely to have known the God of Israel, she must have known silently that God would
have shown up for them. But how would she have convinced her husband? Was this the case?

PRACTICAL QUESTION
So, if as married women we find ourselves in this kind of situation, what should we do? For
example, you see your husband getting close to a friend, male or female and you are not
comfortable. Or even a business idea you are not comfortable with.

APPLICABLE ANSWERS

Women have a special gift by God to sense danger ahead of time, especially when it concerns us
and our loved ones. This can happen especially when we have trained our senses both physical
and spiritual to pick such dangers and act accordingly.

To apply this to ourselves today as wives, when our husbands want to take certain steps that
affect them either individually or as a family, we should be bold in love to air our thoughts and
views concerning the matter. We just have to apply wisdom in how we air those concerns
especially if it might be contrary to that of our husband's.

A practical way of voicing one’s concern can be as simple as;

"You know you are a man of wisdom; these are my thoughts concerning this matter; however, I
trust God that you will follow His leading. Whatever you decide, I will support it, even if I sense
or believe otherwise".
Back this up with prayers by simply saying "Lord, you know your son and how he analyzes
matters. I pray by the help of Your Holy Spirit to lead him aright". With this you can step out in
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confidence that God has your back.

Back in Moab, what was Naomi's role in the marriage of her sons to Moabite women or what
part did she play?
Did she try to dissuade them? Was she indifferent?

The Bible did not tell us, but we should still ask ourselves what we would do in such a situation
and the role we want to play henceforth in the aiding our children in the choice of a spouse.
Although of course, the final decision remains theirs.

Remember, that they took these women after Elimelech died, So Naomi was the parent alive that
should or would have given direction, caution or guidance.

But....
Faithfulness is one of God's attributes, He promises to restore fullness to an empty life. God is
ever faithful not to leave us empty, He ALWAYS makes provision! He is a returning God,
always looking out for us.

God was waiting for them to make that move to position themselves where He would bless them
and turn things around.
He gave them a new start; and God is still willing to give us a new start. No matter how far gone
we have gone astray.

There is always an opportunity for NEW BEGINNINGS in God. Naomi realized herself and
told herself, 'it's enough'. Hope rose within her and she made a turn around and God honored her.

God did his part: Ruth "happened" to BE in Boaz's field...and he made Boaz SEE Ruth. God
gave Naomi another chance at life. She got a grandson through Ruth, a life to nurture. What a
fresh start! This story should challenge us that despite the negative things that try to abode in our
lives, we should still allow God heal our hearts and give us a new purpose.

Let’s reflect more on God's faithfulness to get us past every hurdle of pain, shame, sorrow,
mistakes of the past, sickness and whatever that “famine” may represent in our lives. God is a
faithful God indeed.

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PUNCHLINE
One of her legacies was that she still mentored Ruth, in spite of what she went through. Losing
the three important men in her life should have frustrated her to death, but she taught another the
life and lifestyle of Jehovah's people.

Now, Naomi wasn’t a prophetess or a judge like the other women in scriptures, no husband, no
living children or no grandchildren to support her, yet Ruth couldn’t just tear herself away from
this woman. Naomi still had something to offer, she had the wisdom of the aged. She used what
she had. That means there was something still meaningful in Naomi, she mentored Ruth and
today her name is immortalized in scriptures.

What a discipleship!

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The pressures of this life should not break our relationship with God and people we love. Every
believer should at least have two people in their lives, a mentor and also a mentee, so they can be
stretched in both directions of growing in God's grace and investing that grace in another
woman. If I may ask who then is your Naomi?

In applying Naomi's story to our lives today, here are some things we can do:

 In our world today, a high level of spiritual discernment is required in knowing what to
do in all things. We cannot afford to go by what we see in the physical or by the natural
knowledge about things.

 We must cultivate fellowship with God through His Holy Spirit to know what to do.
Therefore, we must allow God's Word to be final authority in our lives. We must find out
for ourselves what God's Word says concerning various situations in our lives and even
in the world around us and circumstances around us. We cannot be ignorant about these
things. We should not be ignorant about the things God wants to reveal to us.

Jeremiah 33:3 says, "call unto me in the day of trouble and I will show you deep and secret
things that you do not yet know".

Concerning your job or even business, you can actually fellowship with the Holy Spirit on
minute details in order to be successful and produce the right results that will be an opportunity
for you to give God the glory.

Psalm 37:5 says "commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him also and He will bring it to pass".
Let us practice trusting God in all things. To trust means "firm belief, reliability in the truth or
strength of someone or something else". How much do we really trust God as we say we do?

The challenge of our time is so much a lack of strength to fight for ourselves. We must seek
God’s counsel in all things that relate to us instead of depending on prophets/pastor to help us
hear from God. We can hear God for ourselves. We need to cultivate a relationship with God and
learn His ways rather than romance with laziness and lack of interest.

-In health situations;

-In relocation matters;

-In doing our jobs in our offices;

-Concerning our children;

In every area of our lives and daily, let’s choose God’s way. Once we bring God into the picture
and whole heartedly allow Him lead, we can be sure to end well. Ruth who chose to follow
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Naomi did not know what lay ahead. But she chose the God of Israel and a Moabitess is
mentioned in the genealogy of Christ. Let His word be the final authority in our lives.

Please stop for a minute and just pray for yourself and your loved ones for the power to make the
right choice when the stark reality of what seems sensible is facing you.

Use

Philippians 1:10
[10]That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence
till the day of Christ.

THE CALL

Bitterness is a deadly poison. Bitterness can be defined as ‘anger and disappointment at being
treated unfairly; resentment’.

This was the state in which Naomi stayed for a long time. What this state does are numerous and
none of them are positively progressive.

 it blocks you from being objective in your analysis.

A good way to heal fast from anything is apportioning blame to the right sources including
yourself. For we shall know the truth (even truth about cause and effect) and the truth shall make
you free. When bitterness takes over, you can't see your heart. You point fingers forgetting that
you played a role.
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  you stay in the place of defeat longer than necessary.

Naomi, had a home, home is not a place to go to only when you hear of prosperity, it is a place
you can go for refreshment, companionship and friendship. But offence kept her in that place of
self-pity.

 Bitterness blocks out gratitude and hence would not allow us point others in the right
direction.

Naomi was alive and well, she had two devoted daughters-in-law. In her bitterness of soul, she
pointed them back to their gods. While saying she had nothing. Hmmmm...

 self-pity enjoys the company of the same.

 She called for a pity party when she was welcomed home. It (bitterness, anger,
disappointment) would want to rub itself in and soil others with itself.

That's why Hebrews warned against bitterness.

Hebrews 12:15
[15] Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness
springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.

It defiles you and others.

 it blocks you from seeing opportunities and taking them even if you see them.

She had heard that God had restored bread to his people why didn't she seek out the bread? Why
didn't she look for her husband's lands? Why didn't she take initiative about how they were to
survive in her hometown? Thank God for Ruth. The bitter state of her heart must have blocked
her from seeing or reasoning how, where, what, when.

Well, the list is not exhaustive. Today, look inwards, have you permitted bitterness to keep you
under? We have heard of medical cases turned around as soon as patients dealt with a bitter root,
marriages are restored the moment either of both spouses allow forgiveness to flow, financial
opportunities are quickened the moment one stop wallowing in self-pity.

Somebody needs to dust herself and uproot the bitter root.

When Naomi, dusted herself following the lead of her daughter-in-law, SUDDENLY;

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  She had bread

 She had a child (Ruth)

 She had a grandchild (Obed)

Don't stay in the darkness, come out into the light. Free yourself, free your mind from prison,
there is beauty on the other side. Chose to return to your people and choose to lift up your head.

Forgiveness was Jesus' first words on the cross, that is pivotal to having the right perspective in
the dreariest situations (like death on the cross). He needed forgiveness to say the other six
sentences he said on the cross. We need forgiveness to flow in and through us to say the right
things to ourselves and others. Clean out the slate and free the prisoners mostly yourself.

Then.....Return!

It is never too late with God; You/We can always go back to Him. Just as the prodigal son said,
'arise and go back' to your father. God awaits us with open arms, return and be restored. Naomi
got her restoration when she decided to return and took deliberate step to return.

LET US PRAY

Repent of bitterness and ask for the healing that flows from God to fill your heart.

God bless you.

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LOYAL RUTH

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FACILITATED BY Sis Ene Bolanta

POEM

I have loved and I have lost my love

I have left my kith, my kin to be with my love

Now that he is gone

The storms are raging

Voices within, voices without

Calling me, drawing me

To the gods I once knew

To the comfort my heart once knew

To my kith, my kin

Nay, I have placed my hands on the plough

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Nay, I have set my heart on sights unknown

In faith I am reaching, stretching to

the One who leads where my trust knows no boundaries

In Him I have put my faith, my hope and my all.

By Sis Ene Bolanta

MEET HER

At first glance Ruth seems just like any ordinary woman. A foreign woman with whom a
marriage contract was literally stepping out of God's will. But a few chapters later we see a
woman with a great heart, with a deep sense of loyalty, a woman of strong character and
courage.

Ruth means 'friendship'. It’s no surprise then how much love and kindness she showed to her
mother in-law.

One thing that stands out when considering the life of Ruth, is the fact that she was able to
maintain her sweetness even amid terrible situations. Losing a husband and a brother in-law at
about the same time can make anyone think that perhaps there was a curse on that family, but
Ruth remained steadfast. Her Hope remained alive, her love for her mother in-law was pure and
honest.

The Bible did not clearly state if Ruth had family back in Moab but we all know it's never easy
to leave everything one has known to go to a strange land especially if you were going with a
bitter mother in-law.

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Ruth possessed such a sweet spirit. She was married with no child and then suffered the death of
her husband, she was freed by the law and even her mother in-law persuaded her to return to her
people, yet she persisted, she chose her husband's family.

She must have loved Mahlon so much that even 'death could not do them part'. Hers was such a
beautiful love story.

In addition, Ruth was faithful to her mother in-law, she obeyed her in all things which gave her a
place in destiny as it is written in Ephesians 6: 8 “What you make happen for others, God will
make happen for you”.

HER CHARACTER

She was Meek:

Not once did she argue with Naomi about the elder woman's directives. She obeyed them
humbly.

She was Compassionate:

Love is the reason any woman would follow a mother in- law after losing her husband and with
no child or inheritance in focus. But willingly serving the older woman to the extent of working
to provide for her.

She was Wise:

Like Rahab, Ruth may have heard stories about her husband's people and their God. When the
opportunity presented, she was willing to denounce her people and the idols of Moab and follow
the God of Israel. She was keen to heed her mother in-law’s instructions and earned herself a
good and wealthy husband among her late husband’s kinsmen and moreover, a place in the
genealogy of Christ.

She was a woman of her words.

She made a commitment to Naomi; where you go, I will go... And she did not stumble at living
to fulfill those words to end.

She was a woman of virtue.

One way to maintain a steady heart and attitude towards people and situations is to have
unconditional love, love never fails. Ruth was motivated by love towards her mother in-law and
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this was what made her want to go with Naomi. Unconditional love truly covers a multitude of
sin. It was unconditional love that made Ruth not allow Naomi's bitterness to affect her.

Offense, bitterness and unforgiveness are attitudes that can affect our sweetness. We must not
allow these take root in our hearts

However, here's a question that comes to mind, who taught this Ruth an idol worshipper to be a
faithful person? Where could she have gotten all these lovely attributes from?

Truly, though Ruth started out as an idol worshipper, she must have had a heart that was right.

At the root of her generation was incense. The ruling king during the exodus of Israelites didn’t
welcome the freed relatives with corn and wine but rather hired a man called Balaam to curse
their cousins and infiltrated the ranks and caused the death of some. Her ancestors were not
loyal, they forgot that Abraham was the one who preserved Lot, their forebearer.

But Ruth had a heart!

In her, God found one who was hungry. Fierce in her love, loyal in her stance, fervent in her
devotion. Ruth called to the God of Abraham even when tied biologically to another race.

We see other examples like Rahab, who despite her trade, sought the God of Israel.

Another example was when a king in Israel sent his wife to seek the word from the Lord from
Elisha or a prophet, she was told only the son she was coming to ask about would die naturally
because good was seen in him.

Another example in the New Testament era is Cornelius (though a man in this instance which is
to say God is not a respecter of gender, age etc). Though, he was not a Jew, his acts of prayers
and alms were up to the level that God was touched. The book of Acts recorded that they came
up to God as a remembrance. God had to send Peter to show him the 'right' Jesus-way to go
about it. Notice that he too like Rahab called all his household to hear God's word! What Peter
had to say. His heart, not just his acts must have been right...what God was looking for...

Another negative example is Er, who God slew because he saw that the guy was evil.

Ruth, uninhibitedly threw herself on Naomi, boldly stated her allegiance to Naomi, her people
and her God even unto death. There was a tilt in her heart towards right, towards good, towards
God!

It's so encouraging to know that God can turn things around for good in a split second, no matter
how bad the situation may be. If that was the case with Ruth, a Moabite (God had said in
Deuteronomy 23:3 that no Moabite shall enter into the assembly of God even up to the tenth

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generation), how much more will God's mercy prevail over judgment concerning His covenant
children, bought and washed by the blood of the Lamb.

Deuteronomy 23:3-6 "An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the LORD; even
to the tenth generation none of his [descendants] shall enter the assembly of the LORD forever,
because they did not meet you with bread and water on the road when you came out of Egypt,
and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to
curse you. Nevertheless, the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, but the LORD your
God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you. You shall
not seek their peace nor their prosperity all your days forever.

The same way, God was determined to wipe away the city of Nineveh, but He changed His mind
when they repented. Take note that they took a divine initiative. They repented in sackcloth and
ashes.

Ruth also took an initiative. She joined herself to Naomi, a covenant person and to Naomi's God.

Things didn't just happen for Ruth. She took an initiative that qualified her to partake of the
blessings she received.

What initiative are we going to take to see the finger of God begin to move in our lives and
situations? Ruth didn't have the Holy Spirit, but she cleaved to Naomi.

Thank God that we've got the Holy Spirit and He is willing to show us what roles to play for
God's divine plans to unfold in our lives.

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UPLINE TOUCH
Ruth was a Moabite so it's safe to assume that from the beginning she didn't know God.
Perhaps through the life and words of her mother in-law or maybe through conversations and
reports she may have heard about God's relationship with the Israelites. We see a woman who is
yearning desperately for God, she was willing to forsake all that was familiar to follow and know
this God and to be called His own.

The God of Naomi was Jehovah. Ruth had served the gods of Moab before and after serving
Jehovah, she had decided to be a true soldier and die at her post serving the Almighty God.

Believers are tested by the choices that present themselves daily, be they major or minor. Ruth
and Orpah were faced by the same dislodging storm of Naomi’s words. Words that were
designed to chase them back to their gods or force them to make a commitment about who they
will serve.

Joshua 24:15

[15]And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve;
whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods
of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

For Orpah it was enough of wavering between two opinions, she chose her gods and went back.

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Naomi like a master tester continued to pressure Ruth to go back, but then Ruth utters those life
changing words that was the start of the legacy.

Like Caleb, Joshua and the other spies in Numbers. They were faced with the same test and
made different choices. When life tests us sore and we are at our very breaking point. That is the
point when we truly show who we are and what we believe in.

Orpah and Ruth were both mentored by Naomi, they both suffered the same losses. What made
Orpah leave and Ruth stay? It was faith and a deep conviction. Ruth had transcended her
generation to reach Romans 8 :35; Hebrews 4:2.

Romans 8:35

[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution,
or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Hebrews 4:2

[2] For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not
profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

She was desperate for God; she did not care anymore about anything else except God and the
people associated with Him. Topmost on the list was Naomi. She showed integrity as a woman
of her word. She did everything her mouth uttered to the last.

Upon her arrival in the strange land she didn't hesitate or hold back in helping her mother in-law
by gleaning to provide food for both. Ruth was hardworking - gleaning was no easy task, it was a
scheme that allowed the poor to have food to eat. She didn't mind doing a base job just to make
sure they had what they needed.

God was carefully spinning things in her favour, when we are in the center of God's will even
seemingly mundane acts serve an ultimate purpose in His plans for us.

God surpassed her expectations by giving her a husband, a child, a place among God's people,
she even got a spot in the genealogy of Christ. In the very place where she was picking fallen
grain just to survive, God orchestrated things in such a way that she married the CEO.

Isaiah 62:4. -Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed
Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in
thee, and thy land shall be married.

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There's no writing off a person sold out to God for in a split-second God can change everything
and bring good even out of bad situations. Ruth was in love with her mother in-law and a lover
of God. That is why God intervened in her case, God is interested in our love for Him.

God honours hunger and desperation for Him. Of all the fields in Bethlehem what were the odds
that Ruth would find herself in Boaz's field? That was providence indeed, but she humbled
herself to get to that point.

1 Peter 5:5

[5] Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to
another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the
humble.

There is no way you will be committed to God's kingdom and would be left alone. We pray
today that God energizes us with His everlasting Love. We are quick to blame Orpah for leaving
but for a lot of believers in our time in dire circumstances and desperate for solutions, we go
back too.

What is that trial that has sent us to the point of desperate measures? What is that pain, sorrow or
bitterness that is eating us up? Can we say like Peter “Master I have toiled all night and caught
nothing, nevertheless at your word I will let down my net for a catch”. Luke 5:5

To be a Ruth, at that point of nothing and sheer desperation is when we should unequivocally
choose to serve God. The bible shows that people who make “the God choice” cannot go wrong.

The unconditional love is usually tested in severe pain stress and loss like in Ruth’s story; can we
still exhibit 1 Corinthians 13 attributes in those kinds of situations?

It is easy to love in good times, to love good people, nice people, people who show us love but
what if none of these are present can we still be positive? Ruth did it, we can as well.

It takes a deep conviction to follow someone to a place you have never known.
She had watched her mother in-law and knew in her heart that going with her will be a better
option rather than choosing not to do so. It was a decision she took in sheer blind faith. Ruth a
widow, whom God gave a new beginning, gave a home, a child and a legacy. Did it ever cross
her mind that she will marry again? Tomorrow is always pregnant with beautiful things.

She may not have had any inkling on how it will end. But she wanted to go with Naomi and
serve the God of Naomi.

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SIDELINE CONNECTIONS

Ruth had a good relationship with her mother in-law and vice versa; they shared a close bond.
The stories we hear today about mothers and daughters-in-law are a far cry from the relationship
Ruth and Naomi shared. From the Bible, we have a record to show it is possible. Naomi must
have treated her so well. Regardless of her weaknesses, for Ruth to have followed her, Naomi
must have lived in such a way that Ruth had a deep settled feeling that she will be better off with
“this mother of hers” by marriage.

Naomi didn't start out as mentor to Ruth, she was a mother in-law first. Which could be a
position of advantage/dominance or of influence. Naomi inspired loyalty, love and devotion from
other women (daughters in-law for that matter). Which leads us to conclude she was a good
mother in-law. As a mother in-law we see Naomi draw her daughters in-law close to her because
she:

 dealt kindly with her daughters-in-law.

 didn't walk in denial or ignore the position of things. Ruth 1:6,12
 received their own kind treatment graciously and gratefully. Ruth 1:8b
 showed them her own way but let them choose who they'd rather be. They knew she had
and served a different God. Ruth 1:15
 showed them her heart. When her heart was towards her home, she told them plainly.
Even painful truths like her biological inability to give them grown up children were not
hidden from them. Ruth 1:11-13
 knew her duty to them, to give them a chance at marriage again. Ruth 1:9
 gave liberty within boundary, freedom of choice. Ruth 1:8-9

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  was willing to handle a contrary view graciously if they chose others. She forgives
quickly. Ruth 1:14
 prays for the daughters in-law. Ruth1: 8.
 didn't encourage superficial commitment or forced devotion. Ruth 1:10
 hears a true heart, she valued it and is quick to believe. Ruth 1:18.

In response to all these fine qualities, Ruth loved her mother in-law.

RUTH AS A DAUGHTER IN-LAW

 She was committed to the family she married into. She accepted the commitment that
comes with marriage.
 She loved her mother in-law. Love truly never fails. But she went the extra mile of saying
and showing it.
 She had a sacrificial love towards her Naomi and in wanting to see the family name
carried on.

1 John 3:16(AMP)

By this we know [and have come to understand the depth and essence of His precious] love: that
He [willingly] laid down His life for us [because He loved us]. And we ought to lay down our
lives for the believers. - 1 John 3:16

 She was a giver. She gave to her mother in-law. Even from her little. She was selfless.
 She served respectfully.
 She integrated to a daughter.
 She took the role of a young wife learning from an older woman. Observing the ancient
landmarks.
 She was tolerant.
 She was obedient.

At the time Naomi was leaving Moab, she was now in addition to being a mother in-law: a co-
widow, an older woman and a mentor.

Mentor/mentee relationships may not always start out as such, but it may develop to that as those
involved go on.

The roles that different facets of our relationships evolve to at different times is not evident to us,
at least not consciously but being conscious can help us to be more deliberate in our
relationships.

On the trip back to Judah, Naomi and Ruth were travel colleagues, one older, the other younger,
two ladies without a male support. They were mother and daughter as well.

In Bethlehem, they were mentor/mentee, room-mates and friends.

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RUTH AS A MENTEE

As a mentee, Ruth was submissive and had no qualms serving Naomi. Ruth was faithful. She
exhibited the nine fruits of the Holy spirit.

A mentor instructs, guides, teaches, models and corrects amongst other things.

A mentee reveals, fellowships, follows, watches, aligns and obeys the mentor.

In the cause of the mentor/mentee relationship many things happen. Such as: contradicting
views, mild disagreements, vulnerabilities/strengths, weaknesses are exposed, mistakes on both
sides are made and even times of withdrawals or re-bounds will happen, in fact, times of
wounding and healing occur.

The relationship is tested on many different fronts at different times, time and again.

Let's talk about when weaknesses are revealed.

Depending on the type or depth of relationship between two people, weaknesses get seen and
known. Ruth and Naomi had the type in which they both lived in the same house. Naomi as a
mentor could not hide from Ruth any weakness, if she didn't see it the first time, she got to see it
some other time. Ten years with the girl in the girl's homeland and then on the trip back to Judah,
and then living in Naomi's homeland.

Naomi's frailty, her emotional balance or imbalance, her handling of situations, all came under
probe involuntarily. Ruth was seeing the 'true' Naomi every day. She was privy to Naomi's
bitterness and anguish. She saw firsthand how Naomi buckled under the weight of her loss. She
saw her speak wrong and she saw her clueless as to how to move on with life. She even heard
her send her- Ruth, back to her idols as if renouncing her teachings about the God of Israel.

The relationship of mentorship and mentee goes under a lot of strain when the weakness of the
mentor is seen and known.

Ham saw it as a funny thing when he saw the nakedness of his father. He inherited a curse.
Gehazi felt Elisha was foolish, he scoffed at that, he inherited leprosy. Judas felt his Master was
sellable, he bought his own death. Aaron's sons offered strange fires and death was unleashed.
Miriam, commonized her brother, after all he married a foreigner, she became leprose.

So, Naomi had hit on hard times, lack and bereavement, bitterness and anguish, pain and
weakness along with age were upon her. She just arrived her homeland where she left full. She
came back empty. Her story was one that inspired sorrow it seemed, and she let it be known.

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Yet, Ruth:

 looked beyond the mentor's physical condition or social status.

 covered up for her lapses and emptiness.

 ignored the weaknesses and comforted her.

 bowed to the wisdom of her mentor, sort her approval before taking steps on a good
initiative.

 took initiative to preserve her mentor and herself.

 shared her own bounties with her mentor. She kept portions of her meals to take home.

 gave up her comfort, or achievement to succor another. Like her VERY first child. After
ten years of barrenness. She preferred another more than herself.

 watched out for how she can be of help. So, she wasn't only receiving, she gave.

 realized when there was a shift in the relationship. Where she was the strong one. She
was a meek support. She didn't run it in the face of her mentor. She knew it was a season.
Shifts happen in mentor/ mentee relationships. She knew times and seasons.

 stayed loyal. She spoke the truth in love.

 was transparent and ready to receive all dimensions of mentorship. She gives the full
details of matters.

 learnt the customs and traditions of her mentor just as she promised. She didn't insist on
how her custom handled situations. Naomi's people became her people. Her God was her
God.

 stayed within boundary. Naomi instructed her not to leave Boaz's field, she stayed put.
She may have seen some more vibrant fields, but she stayed where she was instructed.

 stayed with family; Boaz was family. Same way we should strike deep relationships with
other believers. Stay within the family. Be not unequally yoked together with
unbelievers.

 honoured her mentor. She didn't bad mouth her mentor.

 was quick to seek counsel from Naomi.

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  served patiently until she was released. She actually didn't choose her release day, she
allowed patience to have her complete work in her until it was perfect. Her day of release
came.

 spoke what she meant and acted it out. When she was elevated, she took Naomi along.

Points to note:

 As we mentor or are being mentored maintain the right attitude.

 Their relationship further metamorphosized after Ruth's marriage. Ruth was now a wife
and no longer roommates with Naomi as at former times. Naomi was at this point a
mentor to Boaz's wife. She knew there was a shift and she took on Ruth's child as her
own gladly.
 When studying Naomi, we were told that as women we need AT LEAST two vital
women relationships, those of A mentor and A mentee. This was explained to be for the
reason of stretching us beyond our comfort zones (paraphrased).
 We will add a third important relationship. It is the importance of relationship with those
you can be friends with.
 As a young woman Ruth had related with Orpah, as a young woman who was a sister in-
law.
 Then, on the Boaz's field, she stuck to the maidens as instructed by both Boaz and
Naomi.
 As ladies, we need to bond with other ladies. In such relationships we can share our
thoughts, hear others out and generally get refreshed.

LESSONS IN FRIENDSHIP FROM RUTH.

In Ruth's friendships:

 She knew when to take a firm stand on what she believed to be right. She chose to stay
when Orpah left Naomi.
 Orpah chose to go back to Moab, to her place, her people, the known and the
comfortable. Ruth knew it was time to change from the known to unknown.

 She wriggled out of the pressure to be like Orpah. Peer pressure is not only for children,
we all go through it, in the office, at church, in the car park, and in ministry and so many
other places.

 She refused the pressure to do the acceptable and follow the norm. She ventured beyond
her comfort zone.

APPLICATION

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We must choose our company. We need the companionship of others.
But even in that, walk from your heart. Build positive and wholesome relationships. Avoid toxic
relationships.

 When Ruth was with the maidens, she didn't tell them that she had a plan to visit Boaz's
threshing floor.

In relating with others be a truthful friend and know which stories to share and with whom.

 She stayed with the maidens, but she was instructed to work along with the men, whom
Boaz already instructed to leave some deliberate sheaves for her.

In relating with your friends, you may need to strike out on your own, it doesn't mean you
abandon them, but be your own person. You needn't sing the same song or be at the same level in
the office.

You can work harder, smarter at your own set goals. Climb the ladder of success, go after your
fields.

 These ladies were in their own land, maybe living with their own parents, children or
husbands.

Ruth didn't confuse her identity with theirs. She was a foreigner, looking to find bread for herself
and her mother in-law, she could not afford to compare herself with them. She had to work
harder, longer and wisely.

We all have different circumstances in life, comparing yourself with anyone is shortchanging
you.

Keep on your own lane and do what your lane demands. Be focused on your own race, calling
and potential.

 Finally, Ruth had male counterparts, they fetched the water. Which ordinarily women do.
She didn't go about doing their job, she faced her own job but enjoyed what came out of
their own part of the job. Stay on course.

Celebrate the role of others gratefully. Enjoy what comes for everyone doing his part but stay
with your own part of the job and do it well.

RUTH AS A WORKER

Submit yourselves to [the authority of] every human institution for the sake of the Lord [to honor
His name], whether it is to a king as one in a position of power, or to governors as sent by him
to bring punishment to those who do wrong, and to praise and encourage those who do right.
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For it is the will of God that by doing right you may silence (muzzle, gag) the [culpable]
ignorance and irresponsible criticisms of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your
freedom as a cover or pretext for evil, but [use it and live] as bondservants of God. Servants be
submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect, not only to those who are good and kind,
but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if a person endures the sorrow of
suffering unjustly because of an awareness of [the will of] God. After all, what kind of credit is
there if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you endure it patiently? But if when you do
what is right and patiently bear [undeserved] suffering, this finds favor with God.

1 PETER 2:1-16, 1-20 AMP

This chapter speaks about submitting to even people perceived to be wicked and difficult. Is your
mother in-law or boss wicked and difficult? The answer is still submission.

Let's liken this to a workplace environment, a person of Ruth's character of Ruth is the kind that
would often get promoted because she knows how to position herself rightly

She was humble, meek, hardworking and submissive. She goes the extra mile even if she had to
add a little extra time or effort.

Often many of us complain about not being promoted but if we really look deep and consider our
attitude to work, can we really say we deserve to be promoted?

The scripture below describes her attitude to work.

And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So, she
came and has continued [gathering grain] from early morning until now, except when she sat
[resting] for a little while in the [field] house.”

RUTH 2:7 AMP

Joseph was favoured not just because he deserved it, but he was hardworking; a vital quality that
endears us to our bosses or supervisors.

They like people that help make their work easy, people who are willing to do mundane tasks
without complaining just like Ruth did for her mother-in-law. She was willing to go all the way.

RUTH AS A YOUNG UNMARRIED WIDOWED FEMALE

Ruth was a young woman of marriageable age. A time came when Naomi felt she needed to
settle Ruth's future. She made a proposition to Ruth that entailed going off in the night to meet
the man. What a brazen proposal!! Why should someone go to meet a man in the middle of the
night? Isn't that too forward or a show of desperation?

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Well, in Ruth's day and based on the culture of the Israelites it was not, see Ruth 3: 10. Boaz said
Ruth had shown more kindness than she did at the beginning.

Deuteronomy 25:5 says: "If two brothers live on the same property and one of them dies,
leaving no son, then his widow is not to be married to someone outside the family; it is the duty
of the dead man's brother to marry her.

By the custom of their day the first son from such marriage would help bear a son; that would
belong to the dead spouse. Based on this, the following can be inferred about Ruth:

 She was wise and listened to godly counsel - the Bible didn't give too much details about
how many years or months it took before Ruth met Boaz but it's reasonable to assume it
wasn't so long since everything happened within the time frame of the barley harvest.
Many times, standing on the shoulders of people gone ahead (within godly boundaries)
helps us achieve things faster. Ruth listened to Naomi and followed her counsel.
 She was not afraid to take risks, imagine going to lie at your bosses' feet in the name of
custom. People would have cowered back in fear and inferiority.
 From the scripture a foreman described her attitude to work as (Ruth 2:7)

[7] And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so
she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the
house.

She was consistent, humble and unpretentious.

 She had posterity in view, all she did was to preserve the family name of Mahlon.
 She was proactive.
 Ruth seems to be very homely. Her actions of going to Boaz chambers at night at lying at
his feet, showed a sign to him that she was willing to be his wife if he would consider
her.
 Ruth 2:2-3''... Wait until he is done eating...'' Ruth went at the right timing.

Many times, while we sit back wishing and thinking that God should help us, it may take a step
of faith on our part to launch out and kick start the whole process.

May God grant us grace and boldness to step out when we ought to. The balance is yielding to
the Holy Spirit as one knows when and how to go about things the way and manner God intends.

RUTH IN A FOREIGN LAND

 She was hardworking.

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  She had good understanding, she sought for information on the operations of the new
land.
 She was friendly.
 She was wise and observant of her surroundings.
 She was humble in her approach.
 She was smart enough to see opportunities.
 She was intelligent, sensitive and discerning of her environment.
 She adjusted easily.
 She was truthful and faithful.

PUNCHLINE

Some of the lessons we can learn from the life of Ruth are:

 The ability to be steadfast and faithful. Proverbs 20:6

 Total being yielded and submitting to God. Philippians 2:5-7

 The virtue of hard work and diligence. Proverbs 22:29

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  The ability to do everything as unto God and not man. Colossians 3:23

 The strength or courage even in difficult situations. Joshua 1:8

 Tenacity and a positive outlook on life. Romans 12:12

As women living in our times today there are limitless truths from God's word we can apply to
our everyday life, 1 Corinthians 13 and Galatians 5 readily comes to mind, as depicted in The
Passions Translation.

1 Corinthians 13

4-5This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience—it looks for a way of being constructive. It
is not possessive: it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own
importance.

5-6 Love has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage. It is not touchy. It does not
keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people. On the contrary, it is glad
about all good men when truth prevails.

7-8a Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast
anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.

Galatians 5

23-25The Spirit, however, produces in human life fruits such as these: love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, generosity, fidelity, tolerance and self-control—and no law exists against any of them.
Those who belong to Christ have crucified their old nature with all that it loved and lusted for. If
our lives are centered in the Spirit, let us be guided by the Spirit.

26 Let us not be ambitious for our own reputations.

I pray that we all take advantage of the grace made available to us in Christ and live full lives
worthy of the price Jesus paid for us. Amen.

 Don’t let the past hold you back. Ruth had so many reasons to shrink into a shell and live
in obscurity, but she didn’t. She didn’t allow her past hold her back but believed there
was life to be lived. We have a purpose regardless of what our past experiences are. We
must see that and take courage like Ruth and arise. These experiences can be hurts and
pains from our spouses, siblings, friends etc. Let’s forget those things which are past and
press on into the future God has for us. We must believe that all things will work together
for our good because we love God.

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  Ruth showed a remarkable faith for one who wasn’t an Israelite. Just from the stories she
heard of the God of the Israelite. That is trust in Who we have believed in. That He can
perfect all that concerns us.

 Great character. It is difficult to maintain character during pains and trials. Ruth has no
idea her story would be used, read or published for millions and yet she showed
incredible character in pain. She went above and beyond in showing respect for her
mother in-law, she worked hard to provide for her. She was a woman of integrity. She did
beyond the call of duty.

This shows that in our temptations we should show great character. Do what is right in the sight
of God despite the pain or who despises you. Ultimately it will work out for your good.

 Ruth believed that the God of Naomi will be her God. In her heart she believed that God
will take care of her, will sort her out. She cast her lot on Him wholly.

We must believe in our temptations, that God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek/serve
Him.

RUTH WAS FOCUSED ON HER ASSIGNMENT

Colossians 4:17

"And say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou
fulfil it"

That's Paul instructing the Church to tell Archippus - one of their members. God wants us to be
mindful that we are here on assignment and to ensure that we carry it out to the fullest. Ruth did.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is
laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at
that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing"

Paul was testifying of himself and telling Timothy this, so that Timothy will pay attention to his
own race.

Just like Ruth who followed through till the end, she didn't stay back or argued with Naomi, but
she concentrated on her assignment. We are here on assignment, carry it to the end, to fulfill
purpose.

Our primary purpose as believers is found in Matthew 28:18-20. We are to be witnesses of

Christ and make disciples of every nation.

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Plan to win at least one soul and disciple that soul. If that is the only impact one makes while on
earth, it is huge and heaven records that. If we make that our ultimate goal in life, we will end up
actually winning more than one soul and discipling many others.

THE CALL
The life of Ruth is such an inspiring one; it shows just how much God can use someone whose
heart is inclined towards Him.

All the odds seemed to be against Ruth, but God in His love and sovereignty was working
everything out for her good regardless of her race, her past, her hurt and pain. God was still
reaching out to her and wooing her with His love just as He's doing with us today.

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Ruth's narrative isn't just a nice Bible story, it is a reminder of God's unrelenting love toward us.
His love is pure and constant, can change us, heal us, cleanse us, set us on a new pedestal as His
love gives us a fresh start. God's love never fails.

Perhaps you're tired and stressed out due to the cares of life, or you're bitter and angry because
life has dealt you a big blow, remember, God is still good, and His love remains always.

While you wait for that miracle and ask secret questions, remember God is on your side, you are
not at a disadvantage, live your life in the consciousness of all Christ has done.

If God did not hold back His only Son how will He not with Him freely give us all things? Arise
and live a victorious life for indeed you have the victory.

CONFESSION

I am loved.

I live in the full consciousness of this truth.

God's love flows through me freely to others.

I radiate God's light and life always.

I do not frustrate God's grace.

I take sides with God's word.

I see people and situations the way God does.

I live the victorious life because the Greater One lives in me.

My ears and heart are always inclined to the Holy Spirit.

I bring great joy to my heavenly Father always.

I am a perfect example of the believer in thought, in word and in conduct.

The wisdom of God is at work in me.

I walk in precision in the things of the Spirit.

I am strengthened and energized, and I trust God wholly always. In Jesus name.

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PRAYERFUL
HANNAH

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Facilitated by Sis Goodness Nkanta

POEM
I stand with empty arms
Year in year out
When will my waiting end?
I feel great pain and anguish
It seems like all is crashing in
But amid it all I've learnt to look beyond me
Deep prayers, words couldn't utter
I sent up to the One who sees my heart
The very thing I desired the most
I vowed to give to the One I love most
The Most High......
And when I finally beheld my son
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What love and joy filled my heart
But I give him back to the Most High One
And in giving him I'm blessed beyond measure
What an awesome God I have
He loves so much and owes no man

MEET HER

Hannah means favour, graciousness.

Her story is in I Samuel chapters 1 and 2.

We encounter a sorrowful Hannah at first mention. Why? Because she was barren. She was the
love of Elkanah's life. Elkanah had another wife called Peninnah who had children for Elkanah
and Hannah had none.

At this time in Israel, marrying more than one wife was still being practiced. So, Elkanah made
that choice. Whether Hannah or Peninnah consented to it or not, the Bible did not say, but he
chose to marry two wives. Peninnah's fruitfulness added to the misery and sorrow of Hannah.

Hannah's misery, grieve, and soul torment was not born out of envy for her co-wife, but as a
result of Peninnah's taunts, insults, making jest of her, provoking her etc. I Samuel 1:6. Nowhere
is it recorded in the Bible that Hannah answered back at Peninnah. Wao!

But the Bible records that this woman took all her miseries to God in prayers with much crying
based on the brokenness and bitterness of her heart. This story may be like what you are going

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through. Your taunts may not be from a co-wife. It may be from your husband himself, or his
family members or worse still, your own family members.

Don't despair, it is not over yet. Your attitude is key to whether you will come out victorious or
remain in your situation. Hannah had a belly-full of the taunts and insults from Peninnah, but
rather than giving it back to her in kind, she turned to the One Who can both comfort her, heal
her heart's wounds and grant her request.

She wanted a child badly enough to endure the taunts of Peninah and the discouragement from
her husband - asking if he's not more than ten sons to her... very funny man. She is truly as
gracious as her name is. Gracious enough to not respond to, or malign or debase her co-wife or
husband. She was gracious enough not to bother explaining to an old imperceptive priest.

Favour, showed up for her too. Not just one child but five more after the first. She had, not just a
husband, but one who was so confident of his show of love to her that he compared himself to
ten sons (really funny).

Elkanah did not understand the different compartments and dimensions of love in a woman. But
he loved her. He must have favoured her above the usual standard for him to refer to that. She
was a favoured woman. He loved her unashamedly. It was unpretentious and unabashed. He had
proven so.

Penninah had children, that is a great blessing for a woman, there is something that makes having
a house full of children more fulfilling, and that is having the love of a husband. She didn't have
that; this may also have furled her taunts.

She is not the first woman we encounter to prove this point. Leah had the same challenge and
she was a bitter woman. Penninah had what Hannah lacked but lacked what Hannah had.

What an interesting cycle. Eventually, Hannah by having the right attitude, had it all! In the end
she had both, the love of her husband and children. The exact design by God.

Job 14:7-9

[7] For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender
branch thereof will not cease.

[8] Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;

[9] Yet through the scent of water it will bud and bring forth boughs like a plant.

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UPLINE TOUCH

We encounter a woman who responded to issues by taking them to God whether it be a prayer,
praise or a vow. Her allegiance is clear. Who she sought was obvious. What or Who she spends
her time on or with was glaring.

Hannah had the kind of heart that chose to please God because despite the provocations from
Peninnah, she didn't retaliate. She chose to go the mature way by taking her pains to God....not
the pains of the provocations from Peninnah, but the pains of childlessness. Hannah was so
focused on her goal of receiving answers to her prayers that she ignored Peninnah's taunts.

She knew that no one understood her situation but her Maker. While speaking with her Maker,
she negotiated with a vow. A vow that would touch her heart. It touched God's heart too. Truly,
He stands by His word.

Psalms 50:5-6

[5] Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

[6] And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.

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She made a vow to God in her heart while she was praying silently. Hannah was like Father
Abraham, she was willing to give God back that which was dearest to her heart, she didn't wait
till she had other children.

She had an option of redeeming the child with money as it was done then, being the first born
that opened her matrix. But she chose to do it the exact way she promised God. It would have
been very logical of her to wait on that vow, especially after all the years of waiting. Hannah was
really a strong woman. She had strength of character. She swore to her own hurt and did not turn
back.

Ohhhhhhhh, but God is a faithful Judge. He compensated her. He gave her more children. He
truly made the barren woman to keep house.

Relating it to us today, many times it's easy to wait for convenience before we do certain things
for God, but it is a sign of great faith to give all to God, after all it was He that gave us what we
have in the first place.

SIDELINE CONNECTIONS

TOWARDS HER HUSBAND

Hannah was a good wife and the Bible records that Elkannah her husband loved her. That could
be because she did him good. She didn't stop him from taking another wife because it is very
clear that the reason for this second wife was for having children. He did not love Peninnah.

He was satisfied that the other woman had given him children and so saw no reason why Hannah
should not see him as being more than ten sons to her and be satisfied with his love for her.

Hannah took all these in and said nothing and was not even bitter towards the husband for not
understanding her situation. She obeyed him and ate when he asked her to stop crying. She had a
large heart to swallow many things.

TOWARDS PENNINAH

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She understood that Peninnah did not understand how it felt like to be barren and she chose not
to allow Peninnah's problem to be her problem. She knew that Peninnah was very mouthy and
she ignored her. She also must have forgiven her, because she was not her focus in prayer. It is
true that we speak out what we are full of, for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth
speaks.

She let Penninah go.

TOWARDS PRIEST ELI

Hannah had so much respect for Eli the Priest. She wasn't disappointed that the man of God
could not distinguish between a drunk and someone with a heavy heart. She was not angry at
him. But patiently explained herself to him. This woman was sensitive to her day of visitation.
She wholeheartedly believed and received the prayer of the man of God and she prospered in it
2 Chronicles 20:20.

TOWARDS HER SON

She knew she needed time to break him in gently. She took the time to stay home and groom him
both physically and emotionally. She must in those times have explained his history to him and
his calling. She explained to him why he would be staying at the temple and what he is to be
doing. She gave him stability to help tide him over during the times of separation.

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PUNCHLINE

Mrs Hannah Elkannah was a woman of God. A mature bone eating believer who allowed the
word of God to to train her senses. She was patient.

She was a wise woman who knew when to be silent and the right Person to channel her issue to.
She sort out the Source Himself.

Hannah's expression in her plight is the exact feeling of every woman in all ages who experience
infertility.

The deep unsatisfied longing for children ( Proverbs 30:15a & 16a), the pain of watching others
bear one child after another, the anguish of watching mothers playing and having fun with their
kids, the deep disappointment of seeing menstrual flow every month, rejection and spiteful gazes
from neighbour's and from the circle of childbearing women. The list goes on and on.

Hannah's bitterness of heart was not towards Peninnah. She was not bitter towards her husband
even when he did not understand her pain, though he loved her. Hannah didn't allow Peinnah's
taunt to stop her from going to Shiloh. Her focus was to see God's hand in her situation.

Even when Eli the man of God misinterpreted her for a drunk, she was not bitter, but patiently
explained herself to him. That humility provoked blessings from the mouth of the man of God
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and she left with an assurance in her heart. This woman judged God faithful in her situation and
she was not disappointed.

Who is taunting you?

Who provokes you to tears because you are barren or poor or disadvantaged in any way?

Is your condition a topic for discussion among circle of friends or in church?

Change your focus from those people and trust God. Judge God faithful and maintain a right
heart. Don't let go of your passion to see the change you so desire. Keep up your expectation.

Watch out for anything that would have caused offenses and patiently overcome. Then watch
God come through for you. Hannah's humility is endearing. She was so humble to respond
kindly to Eli even after his harsh words.

Yes, Peninnah provoked Hannah to tears, but those tears where an outflow towards God for
mercy on her situation not of self-pity or weakness that Peninnah has succeeded in making her
cry.

Today, we see a woman who did not leave her situation to chance. She didn't call or entertain
pity party. She didn't wallow in self-pity. She didn't say, ' what's gonna be is gonna be’ like some
people believe. She was not intimidated by the provocations of a co-wife and was not bitter
because she knew the solution to her problem. She promptly obeyed Philippians 4:6.

Philippians 4:6

[6] Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known unto God.

This woman was sensitive in the spirit and she knew when there was a shift. She encountered
God at Shiloh after her meeting with the man of God. She did not receive any assurance that she
will conceive, but the Bible says her countenance changed. I Sam1:18.

Eli told her first all, 'go in peace'. Hannah needed peace in her innermost being to replace the
bitterness and brokenness. God gave her the peace. That peace gave her comfort in her misery,
consolation in her disappointments and strength to face her situation.

It is scientifically proven that if a woman wants to get pregnant, the first thing she needs is peace
of mind. God our Maker knows this too well and that was what He did for Hannah first before
the baby followed.
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Are you looking for a baby? You need peace of mind first. Ask God for it. He is very much
willing to meet us just as He did for Hannah. Psalm 119:50. My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promises preserves my life. Romans 5:2-5; 8:28.

Hannah was not ready to settle for anything less than giving birth to her own child. She
persevered. Going to Shiloh every year even after knowing that insults and provocations were
waiting for her from Peninnah. What is making you give up on trusting?
Hebrews 10:35 says “your confidence has a great recompense of reward, therefore, do not cast
it away”.

Hannah was a patient and obedient wife. Forgiving, not retaining bitterness towards anyone
Unforgiveness truncates blessings. Please keep it very far from you. There is no offense that
cannot be forgiven.

She was faithful to her promise by giving the boy back to God. Please don't say God will
understand. Give Him whatever you promised Him. He is not interested in what you promised,
but in your faithfulness to do what you have promised because He is a faithful God and expects
you His child to be like Him.

Hannah was a woman who knew how to show gratitude to God in praise and appreciate Him for
what He did for her. 1 Samuel 2:1-10.
Please don't be like the nine lepers. Praise Him even in advance. Praise your way through to your
miracle. Praise is a very powerful weapon that causes the earth to yield her increase. Psalm 67:5-
6. In other words, fruitfulness in having children can be done through praise. Don't give up, keep
trusting, keep praising keep believing, keep speaking/declaring, keep meditating. It shall surely
come to pass.

PRAYER LESSONS FROM HANNAH

 She came to God believing she would be heard.

The words of her prayers carry the confidence we should pray with. It has the feel of ;

John 11:41-42
[41].... And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I
knew that thou hearest me always: ...'

Feel the texture of her prayer here

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1 Samuel 1:11
[11]And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction
of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine
handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall
no razor come upon his head.

She had a clear picture of what shape her answer would take, a boy who would be a Nazarite
from birth. Her heart answers to ;

Hebrews 11:6
[6]'But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that
he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him'.

There was an obvious position of mind of one who already had gotten. Think on that.

 She forgave before she went praying, this is evident in her response to Eli, she didn't
mention the tauntings of Penninah, she only talked about her need and her way of getting
it met. No blame games. No pointing fingers.

It reminds one of ;

Mark 11:25
[25] And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also
which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

 Then, she was tested.

She had left the environment of offense and entered into a transaction, but another form of test
was waiting for her to test her focus on what she had said. Remember the promise she just made
was tied to the man of God that so quickly judged her.

If she succumbs to the taunt and misunderstanding of this priest, will she be able to release her
son so swiftly?

Hmmmm, this is a reminder that if we don't remove the offendable in us we may lose out on our
miracles.
Matthew 13:20-21
[20]But he that received the seed into stony places*, the same is he that heareth the word, and
anon with joy receiveth it;
[21]Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: *for when tribulation or persecution
ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

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She had prayed in faith, she must sustain it with forgiveness and love. For faith works by love.

 She by her right attitude received the agreement of the right authority.

Remember

Matthew 18:19
[19] Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they
shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

Hannah came into agreement with the right authority. This particular authority had the call of
God to cause her to believe to prosper. As we read in;

2 Chronicles 20:20b
[20b]... Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so
shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper.

That seed of faith quickly sprouted because a word went forth to cement it's manifestation from
the man of God.

 She didn't take back her faith even after leaving the altar of prayer.
No, she took faith actions.

1 Samuel 1:18b
[18]. ... So, the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

She had received why continue the fast or the mournful look?
She embraced the attractiveness of joy. She didn't wait to be pregnant first before she was
radiant. No, immediately she settled with God and received an agreement from God's servant,
she responded in kind by behaving exactly like someone who had gotten, and she did.

It's fits aptly with;

Mark 11:24
[24] Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive
them, and ye shall have them.

She got her answer.

 She didn't go telling Penninah to watch out for her manifestation, she went home and
did the business that would give her children.

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1 Samuel 1:19

[19] And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned,
and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD
remembered her.

She needed this union with her husband to get the job done. Sparing words with Penninah would
achieve nothing great.

 She carried her husband along. Involved him in the vow so she could redeem it well.

1 Samuel 1:22-23

[22] But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be
weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for
ever.

[23] And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have
weaned him; only the LORD establish His word. So, the woman abode, and gave her son suck
until she weaned him.

There was communication. She didn't presume on the man; she didn't keep her plans to herself.
She allowed him to have a say. That created the atmosphere to put the right seeds in her son. An
atmosphere where the parents speak well to each other.

She made the vow, but Elkanah was the father. He should lend his agreement joyfully.

 She redeemed her vow. Did her part of the bargain and delivered it well. After she had
nursed it well and loved it right.

1 Samuel 1:24

[24] And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one
ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and
the child was young.

 She dropped him off to the right caretaker. Not just to the temple, but to the proper care
giver.

1 Samuel 1:25-26,28

[25] And they slew a bullock, and *brought the child to Eli*.

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[26] And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee
here, praying unto the LORD.

[28] Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the
LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

She stated clearly what she expects to see of her son. No ambiguity.

 She didn't abandon the project. She took gifts often to water the seed. Ministering
acceptance to the child. His leaving home was not a rejection, it was a higher calling.

1 Samuel 2:19

[19] Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when
she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

She mothered him from a distance.

 Her service to her son and caregiver encored continual blessings from the man of God.

1 Samuel 2:20

[20] And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD gives thee seed of this woman
for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.

This woman operated within the boundaries of the Word of God and honour.

She had honour for God, man, and authority. Her heart attitude was that of honour.

 She is a praiseful woman. Her praise had words that show that she understood the ways
she of God.

Hannah was a praise singer and her praises to God was prophetic.
I Samuel 2:1-10. It was in her praise that she responded to Peninnah. Peninnah was silenced and
ashamed at the same time.
Hannah had both her request and recommendation of a patient, persistent and humble woman.
May we not be so consumed by our situation that we misbehave towards anyone or our Pastors
and miss out of our time of visitation in Jesus name. Amen.

1 Samuel 1:11
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(New King James Version) Then she made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed
look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant,
but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his
life, and no razor shall come upon his head."
(New International Version) And she made a vow, saying, "Lord Almighty, if you will only look
on your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then
I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."
1 Samuel 1:13
(New King James Version) Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice
was not heard. Therefore, Eli thought she was drunk.
(New International Version) Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her
voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk.

THE CALL

Looking at Mrs Hannah Elkannah's life, today, there is a call for prayers.
We will base our prayers on Psalm 136:23-24.

Sometimes we don't know what we are capable of doing until occasion presents itself.
Sometimes we do things we never planned to or wouldn't have wanted to do but some things
push us to do them. It's a call for a heart search.

Our case may not be that of childlessness. But any area that is not yielding your heart’s desire is
termed unfruitful.

Are you satisfied with your relationship with God?

Are you okay with your financial status?

How about your job, relationship with your husband/children/friends /neighbors and colleagues?
Are you satisfied with them?
Who do you turn to first when you are in trouble? Man, or God? Jeremiah 17:5. There is a curse
on any man who trusts in man. Some people trust in drugs more than God.

Sometimes God is prompt in His response to our requests, and sometimes He delays. When there
is a delay, how do you respond or react?
Do you give up on God and seek for an alternative or do you persevere until the victory is won?

Let us search our hearts.

How much can we endure the insults, provocations and taunts from people including family
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members?
How do we handle offences? Forgive and be better or refuse to forgive and be bitter?

Let's search our hearts ladies.

This is a solemn moment. Pray along as you go about your duties today .

God bless us all

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any
wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalms 139:23-24 KJV

SCORNFUL MICHAL

FACILITATED BY Sis Hamdalla Adelaiye

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POEM

A Princess, Royalty indeed

As dignified as royalty can be

As loyal as only a virtuous wife can be

How she loves with passion

How she loves with zeal

For she loved enough to risk all

For through a window and at a rope’s end,

Let she down her love

Oh! How she in vain hoped and waited for love

Love which never came back to her,

No, not the way her heart desired

For she loved another man

And in the arms of another found she herself

Not by her will but, as decreed by royalty

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As decreed by her father,

And as the fabric of her family tore apart

And fell from royalty

She returned to her first love

Was returned to royalty by a decree

A royal decree and a new kingship

But in pride she lost all

When she despised in her heart

Yea, she spoke in disdain to her love for being base

For in worship and praise she saw baseness

In dancing openly before God,

She saw the basing of royalty

The basing of dignity

And in this worship

And in this praise was her love lost and carefree

In this worship and praise lost she her love evermore

By Sister Hamdalla Adelaiye

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MEET HER

1 Samuel 14:49; 18:20-28; 19:11-17; 25:44;

2 Samuel 3:13, 14; 6:16-23; 21:8;

1 Chronicles 15:29

Her name is Michal, the name Michal is a derivative of Micaiah, and Michael, and it means —
“Who is like Jehovah?” It is a name describing an admiring acknowledgment of the
transcendent unapproachable majesty of the divine God.

She had a good name, but she obviously needed more than that to truly have a relationship with
God and then her husband.

She Loved David

What young woman would not be attracted by such a strong, athletic young man, who was
“ruddy, and of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to”? David was the young shepherd
who defied and killed the giant Goliath who had terrorized Michal’s father, his soldiers and
indeed all Israel. Michal grew passionately fond of David and made no effort to conceal her love
for this much-lauded champion of Israel. But while “Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David,” she
did not love the Lord as David did. What a different story might have been written of her if she
had been a woman after God’s own heart!

Amos 3: 3. Can two walk together except if they agree?

She Married David

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Saul vowed that the man who killed Goliath would become his son-in-law, and Merab, Saul’s
first daughter should have been given to David, but Saul, regretted his promise and gave her to
another man. David was now an unparalleled hero among the people, and Saul’s jealousy
prompted him to devise means for David to be slain by the Philistines.

Learning of Michal’s love for David, Saul asked as a dowry, the foreskins of 100 Philistines.
David slew 200 Philistines, and Saul was forced to give his daughter as wife to the man whose
death he had planned. David had been victorious, and Saul dared not go back on his word.
“Jealousy is as cruel as the grave”! is an adage that aptly describes Saul, the king of Israel. He
had no noble intentions towards David.

She Delivered David

Saul had David’s house surrounded. In a frenzy of envy Saul had messengers watch David to
slay him in the morning. But Michal’s love smelled danger and, discovering her father’s
intention, “let David down through a window; and he fled and escaped.”

Then, as a true hearted wife she tricked her father and his emissaries. With her husband safely
out of the way, Michal put a hair-covered image in David’s bed, so that when the men busted
into the supposedly sickroom, they found that they had been tricked. When Saul heard he had
been outwitted by his own daughter, he accused his daughter of disloyalty and betrayal. Michal,
however, pretended that David had threatened to kill her if she did not help him to escape.

She Forsook David

After this incident, Michal’s love for David waned. After she helped David, she remained in
their house faithfully. He had two meetings with her brother Jonathan and sent for his parents.
He even got married to other women, but there was not a word to her from him. Where was the
pleasure in being the wife of a man forced to spend his days as a fugitive, hunted like a wild
animal in the wilderness?

Phalti of Gallem was surely a better catch, she may have reasoned when her father gave her as
wife to him. So, Michal became the wife of Phalti.

We cannot but express sympathy for her experiences in an age when women were treated as
chattels, being thrown from one husband to another. But this was an illegitimate union seeing
David was alive and was in no way lawfully separated from Michal as her husband. That Phalti
cared for Michal is proven by the way he followed her, weeping, when she was taken from him
and returned to her former husband.

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She Was Restored to David

With Saul’s death, circumstances quickly changed for David whom God had already chosen to
be king over His people. Michal and her husband Phalti were living to the east of Jordan during
the short rule of Ishbosheth. Abner made arrangement to assist David to take over the kingship of
the nation, and David made the restoration of Michal the one condition of the league. So, despite
Phalti’s sorrowful protest, Michal was forcibly restored to David when he returned from his
wanderings as king. Evidently David wanted her as queen in Hebron.

How pathetic it is to read of Phalti with whom Michal had lived for some considerable time. We
see his sorrow as he went with her in tears, only to be rudely sent back by Abner! We do not read
of Michal weeping as she left the man who had showered so much affection upon her. It seemed
not much force was required to make her leave Phalti. Maybe her pride and love for prestige left
little room for weeping even though she knew she may never become David’s ideal love, seeing
she had been the possession of another man and David already had many wives as at now, yet as
his first wife Michal may have thought of the position that would be hers in the king's court.

She Despised David

The closing scene between Michal and David is most moving, for what love Michal might have
had for David turned to scorn and disdain. After making Jerusalem his capital, David brought the
sacred Ark of the covenant, the ancient symbol of Jehovah’s presence, to Moriah. On the day of
the Ark’s return David was so joyful that, stripping himself of his royal robes, he “danced before
the Lord with all his might.” Michal watched from a window and seeing David—the king—
leaping and dancing before the Lord, she “despised him in her heart.” Although she had loved
him, risked her life for his safety, she now abhors him for his loss of royal dignity. Her
haughtiness was shocked by David’s participation in such an excitable demonstration.

Nursing her contempt, Michal waited until David returned to his household. When they met, she
with a biting sarcasm, revealing her self-pride, and lack of sensitivity to her husband’s
magnificent simplicity, sneeringly said,

“How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the
handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!”

For her there were no pious and affectionate feelings at the return of the Ark to Zion. Like her
father, Saul, she had no regard for the Ark of God (1 Chronicles 13:3). But David, mortified by
Michal’s pride as a king’s daughter, was curt in his reply. Resenting her reproach, he made it
clear in no uncertain terms that he was not ashamed of what he had done “before the Lord” who
had chosen him rather than any of Saul’s family to reign as king.
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Michal had missed the essential significance of David’s career, that despite his failures he was a
man after God’s own heart. What was David’s meat was Michal’s poison. What was sweeter
than honey to David was gall and wormwood to Michal!

At the despicable sight of David dancing, she spat at him, and sank back in her seat with all hell
in her heart.

Hmm... Michal is a divine looking-glass for all angry and outspoken wives.

She Lost David

After such an outburst of reproach we read that “Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto
the day of her death,” (2 Samuel 6:23).

The estrangement between them likely became more acute because of the other wives now
sharing David’s prosperity.

David was given many sons and daughters, and her sister Merab bore five sons, but Michal never
achieved the great attainment of being a mother. She ended her days without the love and
companionship of a loving husband, by caring for her dead sister’s five children, all of whom
were ultimately beheaded.

How sad! Things would have been different had she made different choices. From the very start
of her life, her story was just so twisted. First her sister was to be married to a man she loved,
for which her love is nobody's business anyway.

Fortunately (she thought) her father gave her sister to another. Then, her love for David was
made known to Saul her father who decided to use it to kill his enemy. She may not have been
aware of her father's thoughts on the matter but suddenly she was thrown into the mix.

Her father's intent was to kill the man she loved. According to 1 Samuel 18:20 and 28, the bible
records that Michal loved David, so this woman initially loved David, but the bible never
mentioned David loving Michal.

1 Samuel 18:26

[26] And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son in
law and the days were not expired.

Here, it said, it pleased him to be the king's son in law. That was the reason told us. She may not
have been the allure for him; the status was. The bargain to bring foreskins was not exactly for

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the love of her, but as dowry which he wouldn't have been able to afford were it money, cattle
or sheep.

A love nest marriage was not exactly the thing in those days. Marriages were arranged by parents
for different reasons - solidifying friendship, keeping a property in the family, an alliance with
another land, for peace, for procreation (this was Elkanah's reason for marrying Penninah when
he already loved Hannah), some women got chosen as wife because they were loved by the men
who married them.

Jacob loved Rachel

And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger
daughter.

Genesis 29:18 KJV

King Ahaserus loved Esther

And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight
more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen
instead of Vashti.

Esther 2:17 KJV

Michal was unfortunate in love. For Michal, her father's reason was;

1 Samuel 18:21

[21] And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the
Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, thou shalt this day be my son in
law in the one of the twain.

Wow! What a reason! She may not have known but that intent had soiled the atmosphere for
her. She was walking into a web of evil intent unbeknown to her. The good thing about arranged
marriages was that both parties were expected to be committed to the union and its reason. Each
was to be content with their lot and live a happy life within it.

For Michal, hers was a tumble of emotions. Her husband was a target for death almost always
from enemies and from family. The instigator was her dad! How sad! Based on the scriptural
documentation on Michal one can only make the following assumptions;

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  no woman can ever make a man love her if the man does not love her. You can only pray
and live the God-life in you. That is attractive.
 She may have thought since she loved David, that might have been enough or that he
may have grown to love her over the course of their marriage.

 She probably gave up on David eventually loving her and grew bitter over time.

Is there any sister here that is married to a man that does not or never loved her? Be encouraged,
there's hope in Christ Jesus. Keep being faithful to God Almighty and focus on pleasing and
loving God. Take your eyes and mind off the fact that your husband does not love you now,
while hoping that there can be a change. Choose to enjoy your life and do what makes you
happy. Do not let that make you lose your joy. You have a purpose and destiny in God to fulfill,
keep your mind on that.

Hebrews 12:2

[2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before
him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of
God.

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UPLINE TOUCH

There was no record of a time she prayed, praised, or chose the way of the God of Israel. She
never made a move to repent, retrace or reunite with God after her confrontation with David.

In her relationship with David there was no record of them having a conversation relating to
God.

If Michal didn't know the God of David, could it be it was because David never pointed her to
his God?

So, she helped him climb out through a window, and he fled and escaped. Then she took an idol
and put it in his bed, covered it with blankets, and put a cushion of goat’s hair at its head.

1 Samuel 19:12-13 NLT

What is an idol doing in a house where David was the husband man and the man after God's
heart?

Or was it just a way of describing an image?

Could it be he didn't mind that his wife still held on to and worshipped her gods and David saw
nothing in it?

Well, we can only say it wasn't about the idol being in their house, she used it to replace her
husband. It may have been for adornment not necessarily for worship. The Idol may mean
another word for an image.

Michal's experience is not a good place to be as a married woman. When two young people get
married, that tender and sweet love maybe lost as soon as the realities of life set in. The man may
gravitate towards work or be preoccupied with how to fend for his family or gets a job that will
make him move and be separated from the wife.

The wife on the other hand will be preoccupied with housework and children and other matters
and drift away, in Michal's case David had to run to save his life, which brought about their
separation. In fact, a couple may even live together but may be separated in their hearts, because

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their expectations of one another are not met and it dwindles into something else; most times into
hatred and disdain for each other.

Hell, hath no fury like a woman scorned. Michal was looking for where to stone David, and of
all places she threw a stone at his God, she missed big time. Of all the "barrenness" in the bible
she was the only woman who died childless.

If she had repented, God would have shown mercy! Did David neglect this woman for too long
and her heart became corrupt? God surely looks at our hearts, in everything we do or face in
marriage let's keep our hearts right before God.

From this woman's life, we can say, strive to have fellowship with your husband. Let both of you
serve ONE GOD. Couples need to be vitally connected to God individually and as a family unit.
That ensures you both are fighting on the same side against a common enemy of whatever sort.

The same challenge Elijah posed in the Bible days is posed to every home

1 Kings 18:21

[21] And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, how long halt ye between two opinions? if
the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a
word.

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SIDELINE CONNECTION

This is a woman that had gone through a lot of emotional trauma.

She had been estranged from her husband for a long time. It’s one thing to be so in love with a
man and the man does not love you in return and then he leaves, running for his life and you
helped him escape. All the time he is away not a word is said or mentioned to you, no special
messages for you, no love letter, nothing to show you are/were missed. You are then married off
to someone else, thrown about like a bargaining chip. Then brought back to the house of this
man you loved but no longer have a relationship with him.

Michal must have gone through a lot of emotional trauma. Everything she went through was
enough to turn her love to bitterness, hate and disdain in the natural. Her experience wasn't a
sweet one at all. We all can identify with Michal's pains. We can vent over her final behavior to
her husband and feel her loss when her five adopted children were killed to appease the wrath of
God. Truly, this woman lived a sad life.

Still let's mention a few more lessons from her life:

1) GRATITUDE:

Many times, we lose out on the enjoyment of what we have where we are bitter about what we
are yet to have. At the root of most bitterness is ingratitude.

One would wonder what could Michal have been grateful for?

a) She was the very first wife of David.

b) She had the opportunity to be loved by another man after she was abandoned(?) who wasn't
ashamed to show it.

c) She had children entrusted to her.

These are a few points of gratitude. They don't seem like much, but in life if we look carefully
enough, we can always find something to be grateful for.
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2) WORSHIP.

David messed up in many ways and about many things. If we are to investigate the life of that
man, we as humans will find many shortcomings. But a place this guy will often lose himself in,
is the place worship. He came as he was. He was all over God so to speak.

As beautiful as congregational worship is, personal worship is not a place to trade. Personal
worship brings you before your Maker and helps you see yourself in Him. Michal didn't cultivate
this attribute.

She watched!

She watched others worship.

She took a spectator’s stand and was outside of the show.

She observed neither personal nor congregational worship. What a trade of!

It leaves the heart callused.

2 Samuel 6:16

[16] And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked
through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised
him in her heart.

That is a place you don't want to be. When we have opportunity to be alone with God, grab it and
get filled with Him. When we are with other believers, be a worshipper. Be serviced in the
service. Partake of the feast. When with others, throw yourself into the joy of being in the
assembly of the Saints.

Onlookers are not contributors. Usually, they are the complainers. They make up the number.
But you can change your stance today. Be a worshipper. It seems as if she thought praise was for
others not for her.

Well... Be that as it may, she lost out!

3) PRIDE

From her high place she felt she was different from others.

2 Samuel 6:20
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[20] Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to
meet David, and said, how glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself today in
the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth
himself!

She was from royalty, but her father was the first king. Before him Israel had judges. That meant
before he was anointed king, she was just like every other person there that day.

David was the second (general) king, so it wasn't long ago that their family name was unknown.
But she forgot so soon. Now, she is so up there, she couldn't understand why she should stoop to
mingle with those down there!

In that thought, she missed out of the joy of rejoicing amongst the congregation of the righteous.
She lost out on the beauty of living, which those down there were freely flowing in.

James 2:9

[9] But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as
transgressors.

Watch your thoughts about others. God is no respecter of persons. That was part of the reminder
David always had in his heart: he never forgot that God chose him. Position, affluence, grace,
auction, charisma and more are all by the grace of God. In them let your disposition be of
humility. Towards God and towards others.

James 2:8

[8] If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye
do well:

Let mercy triumph over judgement. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts and that doesn't
have respect of colour, skin, race or gender.

4)TIMING

She had no firm grasp of timing. David was coming in to bless his household. At that selfsame
moment she released her venom.

Proverbs 25:11

[11]A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

There truly is a time for everything, a time to speak and a time to refrain from speaking.

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5) SELF CONTROL

An event was unfolding, and David was at this point was about to bless his home which included
her. That easing may have produced children, but she couldn't control her impulse to say all that
was in her heart. Especially this very wrong thing!

Proverbs 29:11

[11]A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

Truly

Proverbs 17:28

[28] Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is
esteemed a man of understanding.

Bridle the tongue.

6) FAMILIARITY

She knew where David was from, he was a shepherd boy. She knew his history. He wanted her
because she was of a royal line. She forgot that now, he was the royal line. Their line of royalty
had ended. Now, David is THE KING. How he got here no longer mattered. He was now the
king! He was not the king's son in-law he was the king and her husband.

Proverbs 14:1

[1] Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

BE CAREFUL TO REMEMBER WHO YOUR HUSBAND IS.

You may have been classmates at a time, or next-door neighbors.

But now, he is your husband.

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PUNCH LINE

Misunderstanding arose in Michal and David's relationship because of a clash of temperament,

outlook and purpose. Had Michal shared David’s faith in God how different life would have
been for both. But Michal made no effort to understand her husband’s God-ward desires and so
passed a wrong judgment upon him.

Further, had Michal loved David enough or still, she should have sought his forgiveness after he
had explained his demeanor before the Lord. She loved him when he was poor and unknown yet
now that he was king 'she despised him in her heart’.

David realized they could never love the same God. Therefore, he cut her from his heart.

But being eaten up with pride there was no tolerance in her heart hence harmony was impossible.
Love brings harmony and understanding into every human relationship. This was something of
the gulf between David and Michal. How different it is when husbands truly love their wives and
wives sincerely reverence their husbands!

What may have been responsible for her apathy towards the things of God? Could this apathy
have been the last straw that broke the camel’s back in her relationship with David? Emotional
trauma not dealt with will lead to negative actions we may live to regret.

Michal had a second chance. A second chance to live with the man she once loved and adored. A
second chance at being queen cos David was now king. A second chance to experience what she
hadn't experienced, the love she had so yearned for. But she messed it up. Anger, bitterness, hurt
made her to dishonor, disregard and try to humiliate her husband and his God publicly. She paid
for that dearly.

Sometimes we feel we have a right to these negative feelings but, they are just eating us up and
causing irreparable damage. It also denies us of our blessings and of opportunities coming our
way.

Indeed, Michal was a pawn in the hands of these men she trusted. Her father and her husband
both showed disregard for her as a daughter and wife respectively. By their actions we can
presume that they used her. This would have caused pain which eventually led to anger and
resentment.

We should learn to quickly deal with such feelings when they come up in our relationships as
married women or as sisters. “Resentment means bitter indignation at having been treated
unfairly “

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From this definition resentment is a feeling that is by the corner and can crop up unknowingly.

So, are you walking in bitterness/resentment?

The below steps can help you.

 Recognize the feeling for what it is. It is easy to justify our attitude when we have been
hurt.
 Ask God for strength to forgive. The bible says, 'let all bitterness be put away'. We should
forgive as Christ has forgiven us. We might need to have discussions with people we
have such feelings towards and deal with the root cause after which, we should lay it
aside and heal.
 Even after discussion with your spouse/person change might not happen. Yes, but you
can continue to allow God to change your heart and give the issue no opportunity to have
a hold on you again.

Relating Michal to us in our day as married women, do we love the Lord as we should?

What are the idols separating us from Him?

They may not be physical idols. Have we made idols of the things we love and put them before
God?

David in the Psalms describes himself as desiring the word of God more than his necessary food.
Are we there yet? If not, are we striving to get there?

Jesus told Martha “one thing is needful….”. It still is.!

Michal missed the one thing that would have attracted the man she loved to her forever. He,
David was panting after God, she was panting for class, prestige, dignity, you name it, again, one
thing is needful!

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

When our sweetheart comes home, we may or may not know how his day has been. He may or
may not have fought and won battles, he may have been very stupid or foolish in my eyes that
day or extremely wise and excellent in his decisions, he may even be hungry, thirsty, tired or
maybe not.

You may have had a terrible day from God knows what and he happened not to say the right
thing, or behave the right way, should you in honesty release all the venom you feel thinking he
deserves it?
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What Michal felt in practical terms come to us as married women in different ways. How could
Michal have handled it differently? Seeing how this David was consumed with God’s matter,
what would have been the best way to really win his heart as a woman? Sometimes it’s not your
husband but someone else that we feel deserves the venom.

After making such a terrible mistake she could have apologized, asked for forgiveness and
changed her ways but she didn't. Ask yourself this, how easy is it for you to say sorry when you
are wrong?

She is a typical example of how most of us react when we are not happy with either our husband
or people around us. We just pour it out like hot oil!

Bible says a gentle answer stirs away wrath....

Be slow to speak quick to listen and slow to become angry....

In addition, we should learn to repent quickly and immediately whenever we find ourselves in
Michal's position... that is after we must have goofed!

That's the easiest way to overcome because you know what? Even when we have spoken or acted
harshly in condemnation, our hearts will still be in distress... until we confess.

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise
dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

Proverbs 15:1-2 NRSV-CI

It is common saying “there is a thin line between love and hate”.

We all as believers must pay attention to our hearts in these matters. For we all go through these
issues.

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up
trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Hebrews 12:15 KJV

Seeing her emotions not being reciprocated as she had desired it was so easy to move from love
to hate. Bitterness, totally defiling the love she had for her husband. She allowed it to fester and
it took roots and bore fruits in her.

Bitterness blinded her to the beauty of a home she could have had with her husband. It blinded
her to the love that could have grown. The root of bitterness defiled her and may have opened the
door to her losing the children she adopted from Merab her sister. Bitterness is a killer.

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The truth is, these things happen gradually and except you are very sensitive in the spirit you
cannot detect them. You may not know you are full of resentment and hate, you may even think
it's holy anger.

May God help us to see the areas where we slowly become resentful of our partners. Habits
we cannot tolerate. Things they often do that can lead our hearts to hate.

THE CALL

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It breaks the heart when we consider how things turned out for Michal. Yet she should remind us
of who we are.

We are born into God’s family and into royalty where He has told us that “we are a chosen
generation, a royal priest-hood, a holy nation, a peculiar people whom He has called out of
darkness into His marvelous light”.

Michal found it difficult to lose her earthly royalty in the heavenly one, a feat that David could
have helped her with if she was willing. As far as David was concerned, his earthly royalty was
nothing before God.

Are we not guilty in different ways while condemning Michal's actions of disdaining and
disrespecting this royal priesthood we are carrying?

We are accusing her of not carrying the name Michal well. What are we doing with this glorious
royal mandate He has given us? Why do we feel dejected, unable, not-good-enough, when He
has clearly told us who we are?

Why are we not going forth in the strength of who He says we are? Why are we believing the
condescending voices and the naysayers that say we can’t, or we are not good enough?

Today we call you to believe this royal call to BE! Because, dear sister YOU ARE!

YOU ARE ROYALTY.

CONFESSION

I am a chosen generation,

I am a royal priesthood,

I am a holy nation,

I am a peculiar person

I show forth the praises of him who hath called me out of darkness into His marvelous light:

I let the adversary know who God says I am, I know it for myself, I believe it, I live it in Jesus
name.

I will carry my God given name and identity well by His Grace and I will not end in shame and
disgrace, I will finish strong, I will finish well.

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SOAR HIGH!!!

STRATEGIC
ABIGAIL

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FACILITATED BY Sister Precious Iweha

POEM

My life, times and strength are in the Most-High God

For unlike the dreams in my heart

the man I married did not bring joy to my heart

No, not in his choices nor his words

But in the Most-High I knew peace

And in Him I knew joys

The husband who was meant to be a covering for me

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removed my protection from me

when rashly he spoke to him who was sent by God’s anointed

for neither had he regard for God’s anointed

nor sacrifices made for him, his household or his possessions

Sent he a condescending message to God’s anointed

Ah! how the anointed of God and his four hundred armed men

charged against my household in fierce rage

Oh! but the Most High gave me wisdom and courage

to speak to them and turn their hearts from rage to peace

to them I gave peace my offerings

The lord spoke to His anointed of His kingdom through these lips of clay

It came to pass that at the fullness of time

the Lord remembered me in its time

His anointed king sent for me to become his queen in his clime

In haste I cast away my garment of widowhood

The Lord indeed lifted me to a place of honour in his priesthood

He lifted me to royalty

Indeed, I know my redeemer lives, He is Almighty

By Sis Hamdalla Adelaiye

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MEET HER

The life of this woman can be seen in 1 Samuel 25: 2 - 42

Her name means “My Father Has Made Himself Joyful”.

Abigail, the bible from different translations, described her as intelligent, good-looking, wise,
beauty with brains, good understanding, sensible, and of a beautiful countenance. She is also
seen and applauded as a woman, full of humility, wisdom, generosity, sensibility, courage, faith
and discretion. However, she was married to a man - who was cruel, insolent, senseless, churlish,
good-for-nothing, stupid and the bible described him as a fool – Nabal.

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When we read through 1 Samuel 25:2-43, we see how she came in and averted a bloody
destruction that would have befallen her entire household due to her husband's insolent and rude
behavior.

She acted right and at the right time, she wasted no time in doing things quickly. She made
available all necessary foods and delicacies and sent them ahead. Upon meeting David, she made
obeisance and interceded on behalf of her husband and household, saying the right and soothing
words of praises to steer away his anger. David was appeased and pleased with her.

Abigail at the beginning of the story was Nabal's wife but at the end she became one of David’s
wives. Her humility, generosity and wisdom were so remarkable that it turned the wrath of the
king-to-be, and when her husband died later at God’s hand, David quickly sent messengers to
ask for her hand in marriage. She bore David his second son, Chileab.

HER CHARACTER

 She was also conscientious and quite a strategic woman.

 She was wise and smart. In no time she diverted the plans of destruction that were to
come on her husband Nabal.

 She was a good wife who through wisdom ''covered'' or protected her husband.

 She was a woman of virtue. It's possible she had been a victim of Nabal's rudeness, but
she did not show it neither did she confront Nabal about his decision. She didn't put him
down before his cronies, but she went on to do what was best for that time.

 She understood timing. She stepped out at the right time and did not waste time arguing
over what Nabal did, should do or did not do!

 She must have known the man for who he was and his possible reactions.

 She had good manners and was beautiful from inside out. She must have made a serious
impact on David who never forgot her sweet nature, wisdom and smartness.

 She was humble.

 She also loved her family and entire household. She saw danger and due to the love, she
had for her family, she didn't think twice about the possible repercussions that may
follow her actions. She was selfless in her dedication. She didn't send her servants or
delegate the solution. She took it upon herself to avert such destruction.

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  She took responsibility for wrong actions. She didn't point fingers. She even took the
blame by saying she was not aware of the time David's men came.

 She was a virtuous woman. She got things ready. She made maximum use of time. She
knew what was available to be used. She gave more that was required but all within the
house. It shows we should be prepared for eventualities. We should have things handy
and available for use when needed. For Abigail it was ready food, for you it could be
ready cash, savings or some other things. Don't eat everything. There is always bread and
there is seed.

 She had style; she packaged the gifts in an honourable way. Not shabbily. She sent
servants ahead of herself.

 She acted fast to avert David's wrath.

 She acted wisely.

 She was also a strong and fearless woman. Abigail did not allow neither the fear of what
her husband may do, nor the fear of David's anger stop her.

 She probably saw God's leading and followed through.

The Bible says we should seek peace and pursue it, and this was exactly what she did. This virtue
made her stand out to David.

QUESTION

Most times, situations/issues/challenges can pose a threat to the peace and joy of our household,
how do we respond? Knowing fully well that we are led by the Spirit of God, but our husbands
might not be in support of it?

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UPLINE TOUCH

Looking at Abigail we see a woman who wasn't just a woman of understanding in her dealings
with her husband, relationships and life generally. She also understood God's ways and of God's
plans in her time and for her nation Israel.

See this verse:

Now therefore, my Lord, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, since the Lord has held you
back from coming to bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand.1 Sam 25:26a

Then....

Please forgive the trespass of your maidservant. For the Lord will certainly make for my Lord
an enduring house, because my Lord fights the battles of the Lord, and evil is not found in you
throughout your days. And it shall come to pass, when the Lord has done for my Lord according
to all the good that He has spoken concerning you, and has appointed you ruler over Israel,

I Samuel 25:28, 30

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These and other statements made by Abigail tells us she had understanding and was concerned
about what was going on not just in her immediate family but for her nation. A nation birthed by
God.

We can also see from her words to David in verses 26-31 that she recognized God and knew God
was with David in all his battles, giving him victories.

Do we recognize God's leading in others? How sensitive are we to each other's calling?

Speaking about her connection to God (Yahweh), we see that despite the rudeness and insolence
of her husband, she remained a good and loyal wife, humble and full of respect for the husband.
The Bible never told us she retaliated in kind or spoke back rudely to him. This shows that she
was a goodly woman.

How can we judge ourselves loyal and steadfast within godly boundaries despite being pushed to
the wall by our spouses and others?

LESSON

God has a plan for our Nation, and it is not totally disconnected from our role in our homes as
women, wives, mothers etc. All these roles contribute to building our Nation (think deeply on
this my sisters). Understanding of God's purposes in your home, city and nation can position you
as a deliverer in your household and a partaker of the blessing God has allocated to your nation.

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SIDELINE CONNECTION

Looking at her sideline connections; how she related to those at the top, beneath her and around
her, we notice the following;

TO HER HUSBAND - Nabal:

Knowing the peculiar personality of her husband she didn't tell him what she was about to do at
that point.

Reasons may be:

 He had issued a different command and her confronting him at that point would not sit
well with him. Remember Vashti, whose drunk husband asked her to come and display
her beauty. Her refusal caused her removal from being a queen. The reason given was
that, so wives didn't learn to disobey to their husbands. Don't forget the ego of a man,
especially among his followers.

 Abigail knew that telling Nabal about what she planned to do was going to be
counterproductive, so she went to David, without her husband's consent for a lack of
better phrase. Knowledge of our husbands is not just enough but relying on the
prompting and nudging of the Holy Spirit is what makes the difference.
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  She knew when he sobered up, he could be more reasonable.

 Time was of the essence at that point and arguing about the right or wrong would not
have been profitable at that time. Their lives were at stake.

The Bible says wisdom is profitable to direct.

Ephesians 5:22

22 Wives be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service]
to the Lord.

To adapt means "to become adjusted to new conditions".... how adaptable are we to our
husbands? This does not mean we agree on every decision or action of our husbands, but we
must be willing to adapt. When we adapt, we walk in obedience to God's Word and whatever we
are trusting God for where our husbands are concerned will come to pass. This is so long as
what we are trusting God for is in line with God's Will and purpose.

1 Peter 3:1-6

[1] Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word,
they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

[2] While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

[3] Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of
gold, or of putting on of apparel;

[4] But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament
of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

[5] For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned
themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

[6] Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do
well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

When she came back from meeting David and met her husband drunk and overwhelmed with the
banquet he prepared, she still didn't confront him, but waited till the next day, when he was

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sober. This speaks highly of her level of wisdom, she never intended hiding anything from her
husband but chose the appropriate time to communicate.

Hence, every woman should know her husband. Be quick to know when to speak and when not
to.

TO THE OFFENDED - David

 She recognized who David was and identified with what and how God was walking with
him, unlike her husband that insulted David's personality as a runaway slave. She was
aware of what went on in her environment. She listens to news.

 She respected his person and his call.

 She identified with his plight.

 She was appreciative of their care for her husband's servants and cattle.

 She is generous; as seen in the way she packaged a lot of goodies and delicacies for
David and his men.

TO OTHERS: Servants

 She may have been an easy-to-approach woman; for the servant that had overheard the
conversation between Nabal and David's men to approach her quickly to "make hay while
the sun shines".

 She listened to advise from others especially from those lower down the ladder.

 She had a firm grasp of command. She could issue commands when she had to.

QUESTION

1 Sam 25:25 - Abigail called her husband Nabal, a worthless man and a fool to David; that seems
like talking down on her husband in front of another man. What motivated her to do so? In the
times that we live in, even if one has a husband that is not reasonable or does not listen to others,
is it okay to speak about him in such a way to someone like a David?

POSSIBLE ANSWERS

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It is important to know your audience when talking. If Abigail in her bid to respect her husband,
starts defending him in front of a David, a man angry enough and ready to kill the same husband
man and her household, would have been disastrous. These words she spoke might have been a
ploy to spare his life and those of her household.

In our day, there can be more diplomatic ways to go about 'agreeing with your adversary' - ask
the Holy Spirit for wisdom.

PUNCHLINE

Some of the lessons we can glean from the lifestyle of Abigail include:

 She was a beautiful woman who did not use her beauty for evil. She would have enticed
David with that and still got what she wanted. But she took the long road of due process
and was rewarded by God. Anyway, this woman was smart and handled the situation
properly.
 She recognized who David was and his importance. She realized that David was a holy
man and what his God was capable of.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the holy is
understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

As women we must not always keep our heads down and play ignorance to people our husbands
interact with. Both the good and the bad. So that when occasions arise, we might be able to
intervene accordingly.

“A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident” (Proverbs
14:16).

 She avoided conflict. This is sometimes difficult for us as women. We are mostly people
of action. We want to tell it as it is. To tell our husbands how wrong they are, but Abigail

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 with wisdom worked quietly to resolve the problem. She may have prayed that her plan
will work.

So, in all our getting, let’s get wisdom to always navigate issues both small and big in our
marriages. With wisdom and prayers, a lot of issues can be avoided in marriages
relationships or with relationships with our church members/ families.

 She worked quietly to resolve the problem. She acted with discretion.

“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards” (Proverbs 29:11).

 Good in advocacy and negotiation, she is smart, beautiful, wise, intelligent.

She knew what to say at the right time. She knew about timing and the appropriate
etiquette the occasion demanded. She was in a very unfortunate and difficult
circumstance, but she found a way out.

 She was a woman of faith, she may have had a relationship with God, recognized His
ways and timings.
 She put her understanding into action and offered a gift to David.

Proverbs 18:16

Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! NLT

 She reaped the rewards that come to those who are wise, when she became David’s wife.

“The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.” (Proverbs 3:35)

Abigail's example points to the importance of the words chosen when speaking in tense
situations. Harsh, loud words may become the catalyst to an unnecessary explosion. They may
drive individuals to actions which will be regretted later. In contrast we see how calm, carefully
calculated words can lead to a peaceful parting or solution. This lesson's golden text deserves
careful attention:

"A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger" (Proverbs 15:1).

"Think twice before speaking once" is wise advice.

Abigail was multitasking, taking care of her home and servants, covering Nabal’s back.

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Paul the Apostle advices that a believing wife should not divorce her husband because she is now
a believer. For any believing wife, we advise you to study the life of Abigail in details to be able
to live with an unbelieving husband.

THE CALL

"A SOFT ANSWER TURNETH AWAY WRATH: BUT GRIEVOUS WORDS STIR UP ANGER"
(Proverbs 15:1).

Just like Abigail; Will we respond to the angry person positively or negatively - pleasantly or
bitterly? Will we be gentle and conciliatory, or will we cause more bitterness and anger?

"A soft answer" is not a weak one. Often the most powerful response is given in the mildest tone.
Even though the substance is firm, the language and spirit are gentle. Such an answer is hard to
resent or refute.

When we use a soft answer, wrath is turned away. Anger is silenced. These negative emotions or
attitudes cannot burn without fuel to feed them.

What are the effects of using grievous or bitter words? Hatred, cruelty and misery. Bitterness is
more powerful than wrath. It creates more ill will than the angry words that provoked it.

Most of us have been there time and again; flaming anger, bitterness, wrath, cruelty and or
unforgiveness.

Repent and lean on the Holy Spirit for help.

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The Holy Spirit is ever ready to grant you peace and comfort. Just obey His promptings and
biddings.

Maybe you have someone close to you that has such characteristics, pray & intercede always for
them, that they would not fall prey into the enemies' trap and minister peace where necessary.

God bless us all.

THE
NECROMANCER

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FACILITATED BY Sister Fisayo Adeoye Adesina

POEM

Humans...

Why do their eyes always long to see

And their ears itch to hear?

Can't their hearts ever be satisfied

That there is a God who loves and rules in the affairs of men?

Normalcy at last.... I thought

But no... humans won't let me be

The very one who demanded my head wants my services

What an irony

Humans…Open your eyes

All you seek is available for you

Quit chasing shadows

The Almighty delights in you...He even abides in you

Yet you run around in search of what isn't lost

Open your heart.... respond to Love's call

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MEET HER

Her story is found in 1 Samuel 28:7- 25.

The woman of Endor unlike the many women we have studied so far has no precedence, no
story, no background history, no name was given and no mention of any other family member.
The only striking thing about her was her career - She was a witch.

In Exodus 22:18, God expressly warned the children of Israel not to allow a witch to live but
somehow, witchcraft survived, in the reign of King Saul, the bible said he ordered everyone
involved in this craft to be killed and somehow this woman survived.

The story of Saul and the woman of Endor reminds us that there’s really nothing new about
human behavior. Necromancy, witchcraft, wizardry, sorcery, dark arts, occultism, enchantments
are not new, somehow, they translate from one age to another and women seem to be the ones
who practice these craft the most.

So the background story is of this woman of Endor - a witch, who operates secretly, and this day
the king of Israel, Saul, disguised showed up at her door in the night to consult her. The
Philistines had come up against Saul in battle and he was sore afraid. He tried seeking God but
God didn’t respond to him and so he resulted to seeking her out, he needed her to bring up
Samuel who had died and been buried so he could ask him about the battle.

What thoughts of her should provoke in us are questions on how we humans are so inclined to
hear or see or belong to or know something bigger and when we don't go at it right, we end up
embracing the evil power. That's why a human who was a little lower than the angels will yield
her soul to demonic ownership. Why do this job? What was she looking for? This story seems to
be more about our pull into realms.

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Okay, we are supernatural beings. We are gods! We can do all things. With God all things are
possible. This is from the Bible. Nevertheless, the boundary is ONLY AS WE ARE
CONNECTED TO GOD. This desire goes back from the time Eve listened and gisted with the
devil. A seed was planted. Words are seeds.

The seed to KNOW good and evil was sown that day. It’s part of what we inherited in the
natural. Satan wanted to be as God mounting up to the highest heaven. Sin was found in him, the
sin of pride, lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

Whenever a human interacts with Satan, these same stirring is what you succumb to.

By Eve talking to Satan these fleshly desires came into be. We (in her) were no longer content
with all that was in the garden. We were looking for what was not lost.

A distraction from looking to our ALL SUFFICIENT, EVER PRESENT, ALL PROVIDING
GOD seeped in, silencing every voice of conscience.

Eve put her hands out and took! She took the fruit! She went for something other than her
Creator. She submitted to another prompting. She obeyed! And to who you obey, you become a
servant to.

The degree to which you obey, to that degree the master (God or the devil) takes ownership of
you; demons will always need a body. They cannot operate without a human body. This woman
offered hers. Sadly! She should have been looking inwards into her. The internet is flooded with
invitations to 'come and know'!

A lot of innocent enquiries is suggested to one daily by the internet. They seem very harmless.
They flood the internet in forms of sorcery, magic, know your star, when you are born and what
your star tells about you. These things crop up as adverts, spam mails. Very tempting inquiry too.
There is a lot of impatience and laziness in people, wanting to get answers ASAP. However, by
this study, we pray we will all strive to pursue God with diligence. Amen.

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UPLINE TOUCH

Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live - Exodus 22:18

A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone
them; their blood will be on their own heads - Leviticus 20:27

Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I
am the LORD your God - Leviticus 19:31

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry - 1 Samuel
15:23

Let us look closely at witchcraft and all its “likes".

Noticeably from the few scriptures above, God does not take the sin of witchcraft lightly, the
punishment is DEATH BY STONING because it defiles. Clearly, the woman of Endor has no
connection with God. Her chosen career is totally against His will.

Bringing this home, to our age, the witchcraft practice has come in different appealing wraps -
star gazing, horoscopes, palm reading, fortune telling, magic e.t.c. There's need for us to be
watchful and teach our children so. What happens really is that when we engage in such
practices, it opens us up to the operation of unclean spirits and disconnects us from God.

There are several instances in the new testament where Jesus had to cast out demons and unclean
spirits from people, the truth is these spirits need bodies for them to function unlike Angels who
can function without possessing bodies. The unclean spirits need bodies and they also need
permission, they do not just enter into people without permission hence there's need for us be
watchful and full of God's Word, so we don't open ourselves and our homes to the enemy
through our lifestyle and choices.

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Let us be in harmony with the Holy Spirit and yield to His guidance and help, let us learn to wait
patiently on God and for God. Quench the drive to know everything at all cost or to be in control
by all means, it could be dangerous. The word here is caution. Fortune tellers too can see the
future, and not all prophets who see are of God. Jesus already warned us ahead in the scriptures
of many people who will do wonders in his name, he even said they will cast out demons but
still they are not of him, he called them workers of iniquity ( Matthew 7:21-23).

However, this does not rule out genuine prophets / prophetess who have the seer anointing, they
can see into the future, they can pick things in the spirit.

In all of these, nothing beats one knowing God for one’s self, to have a relationship with God,
full of the holy spirit - a relationship where God himself starts to show you things.

Even though this study does not really centre on Saul, one thing to learn from him is taking the
grace and mercy of God for granted or abusing it. It is not a good place to be, Saul lost every
avenue to hear from God, that was why he resorted to seeking a medium.

Witchcraft and spiritism are very real. Saul should have repented and sought God, instead he was
still looking for Samuel, I think this also describes the way people have so much put their faith in
"man or woman of God" instead of the God of the man or woman. People have resorted to
seeking other mediums (sources) to see into their future. Let us remember that God's thoughts for
us are always thoughts of good.

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SIDELINE CONNECTION

Today we are to look at her sideline connection but really, no one else was mentioned in close
relation to this woman. However, she was known.

The network of friends she had, who may have been doing the same trade had been killed by
Saul.

No family ties mentioned, no children mentioned.

NOTABLE RELATIONSHIP CHARACTERS

 She showed kindness to Saul, who was responsible for her alienation and possible death
of friends and family.
A man that had sought to destroy her at first after his ascendancy to the throne.

 She was a good listener.

 She was versed in her craft.
 She showed honour.
 She did not just kill a kid, but a fatter animal she was keeping.
 She showed an attitude of a giver.

She made enough meal to go around Saul and his men.

 She was persuasive enough to make Saul eat the meal she prepared.
 She just encountered a situation in which the death of a man was pronounced.
 She had comforting words.
 She showed compassion.

From these behaviors, we can say she had seeds of these attitudes in her.

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The bible said if Christ has set you free, then you are FREE indeed. The bible warns us sternly
about IGNORANCE, because that is what the enemy preys on. We must know who we are in
God, what the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross has availed for us and know the promises that we
have. We must know the SCRIPTURES for ourselves.

Knowing God for one’s self is key, being faithful where one is planted is also key. It is important
we watch out for any form of rebellion; it is the only sin that was likened to the sin of witchcraft.
Rebellion opens us up to the enemy.

Submission to physical and spiritual authorities in one's life especially one's husband may no
longer be trendy but that's the cover God has made for us.

In cases where those in authority over you want you to do something ungodly, firmly refuse with
explanation and lots of prayer in the background but no rudeness or ill speaking.

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PUNCHLINE

One major reason people delve into witchcraft these days is because people love to be in control,
they like to always know what will happen and how it'll happen.

To walk with God requires faith, it is not as if God cannot tell us everything about our lives but
He wants us to walk through life with Him trusting Him at every point, He wants us to relax in
His love for us and be assured that He has our backs.

These days witchcraft is glorified, on cable satellite, movies and even cartoons for children. The
devil's aim is to downplay the evil of these things by making it always be in our faces, so we
think there is nothing wrong with it.

On social media we see things like click here to see what you will be in ten years’ time; all these
are appearances of witchcraft. I pray we would always be fervent and trust fully in God each day
in Jesus’ name. From our studies throughout the week, I'm sure we all have drawn some lessons
from this woman.

Worthy of note is the truth that you must lean hard on God for yourself. This woman is the major
topic for discussion, but we would never have heard of her, had a man not stooped to desperate
measures.

Saul is an example of what low levels an individual is capable of stooping down to if you do not
learn to obey God in the small things.

Life is always in phases. God in his faithfulness never starts us out on the big things.

Start with simple instructions like;

 Repent
 Read your Bible
 Obey your parents
 Thou shall not...
 Love the Lord your God

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  love your neighbor
 Give
 pray
As you take daily steps in obedience, you develop your obedience level.

The very first call God made to us is to love Him. In loving Him, He is saying know me. In any
union, an essential thread is the thread of knowing your partner. This thread will sustain a
relationship in dire times. Saul had not cultivated the knowing of God for himself.

He sought after God only from what others said. He listened to 'his men' when that suited his
purpose or tilt. He disregarded instructions and authority when at crossroads. He never seemed to
see the reason to repent only to explain. He was unforgiving. He coveted power even when he
had been rejected by God. He seethed with hatred for another to the point of wanting the others
blood. He touched the anointed of God by wiping out a whole clan of priest. Against man and
God, he had no qualms about pleasing himself. But a time came that he needed God; this
happens to us humans! Desperate times came. He had no culture of waiting, denying self,
repenting or praying. A day will always come for harvest. The harvest of laziness, carelessness,
ignorance. There would come a harvest. A day for harvest of a loving God, staying within godly
boundaries, refusing compromise. That day would come. As surely as the Lord lives, seed time
and harvest shall not cease. Night and day, summer and winter. These seasons will always come.
What you have sown as seed will produce a harvest.

So, are you into 'prayer house' matter? Harvest will come. Are you paying others to fast for you?
Harvest will come. Are you into horoscope and palm reading, there sure will come a day of
harvest.

But you don't have to wait for the harvest, repent and change your ways. Start a 'knowing'
relationship with God.

Knowing will include

Reading
1 Timothy 4:13. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Praying Luke 18:1

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Praising
Psalms 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be
thankful unto Him, and bless His name

Obeying

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Hebrews 7:23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God,
and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may
be well unto you.

Evangelism
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature

2 Timothy 4:2

[2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
longsuffering and doctrine.

Studying 2 Tim 2:15

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Spending time with God Heb 11:6

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must
believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

And fellowship with other sound believers.

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is;
but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

This woman went in a certain way for reasons we may not know, but it was exposure to these
matters that brought her to this point.

Who do you consort with?

God made us inquisitive, we like to know. The men of Athens spent their time doing nothing else
but to hear and tell of new things Acts 17:21.

This desire to know drives humans (and will continue to do so) to seek for it through both godly
and ungodly means. Particularly intriguing is the desire to know what happens in the spiritual
world and/or beyond death (after this life) and to use the knowledge for a supposed advantage as
seen in our story. That is just a reflection of human desire to know. We all have desired at one
time or asked God to know something or show us something, the positive difference is that we
stayed in the God-given boundaries allowed us.

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So, we should always stay in the boundaries of what is allowed (using the word of God;
cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit for His leading/ guidance and being obedient) and
be weary of deception that comes in various forms. For example, it is common when people
loose loved ones to "untimely" death to want to know the "why's" and "what happened"...
Admittedly, it is a reasonable and understandable desire, for closure purposes especially.

We must however be careful not to open ourselves up to unclean spirits or falsehood in our
quest. If God chooses to do so, good; if not, good. God is Sovereign and there are certain things
we will never know until eternity. We may ask but it is His choice to OR not to.

However, many times He desires to tell us things, we don't ask often enough. When we do, we
ask to know the "big" things that we may not be able to handle, OR we go about it the wrong
way like Saul, OR we want it "right now" at our own timing.

Another common example: something is stolen in a group, in other to catch the thief, the group
"surrenders" itself to the power and influence of a seer who identifies or names the thief.

We should never get to the point of desperation. Avoid being PRESSURIZED to do things in
general, more so not questionable things done in questionable ways.

But we have a surer word of prophecy/promise;

2 Peter 1:19!!!... We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and
you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns
and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Here, we come to an important aspect of this study in which a question of great importance is
asked.

So, was it really Samuel that was "brought" up? If indeed he was "brought" up!

To answer this question, let's first address the question in general.

Can the devil raise the dead?

Note that these are two different things in the sense that raising the dead means the person came
back to life and continues living in the flesh before dying again like the case of Lazarus and the
widow's son were raised by Jesus, also the boy raised by Elijah, the dead man raised by Elisha's
bones, Eutychus by Paul to mention a few.

This is different from bringing up the soul to speak and he goes back. It is difficult to
categorically say that Satan is "completely unable to raise the dead" there is no verse where it is
categorically stated what his power entails and/or where the limit is.
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This is known though:

John 10:10 -... the thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that
they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

So, it is completely not PART of his mission or code of conduct! So, even if he can he will
certainly not do!

Moreover, it will be COUNTERPRODUCTIVE for him now! Imagine, bringing back a sinner to
life! The person will quickly give his life to Christ (who wouldn't, after seeing the afterlife!)

If Satan brings back a believer, the person will work overtime to live holier, and save many more
souls to the kingdom than he did the first time (to rescue more from the place of torment and to
win more rewards and crowns!) definitely!

Nevertheless, we are quick to add that the devil has no power over the departed saints.
Immediately saints die, they go to paradise that is Abraham's bosom.

How do we prove this?

Jesus gave the thief on the cross (who asked to be remembered) an assurance: "today, thou shalt
be with me in paradise" Luke 23:43.

Can we be in Jesus' safe keeping and the devil will still take us?

Jesus knows how to keep things:

John 17:12 "...those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost..."

Revelations 13:14... And he deceives those [unconverted ones] who inhabit the earth [into believing
him] because of the signs which he is given [by Satan] to perform in the presence of the [first] beast,
telling those who inhabit the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded [fatally] by the
sword and has come back to life.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, said Jesus.

Throughout Scriptures, there is not one incidence where Satan raised the dead...

What about bringing up souls of the dead?

We can INFER from the above that he cannot bring up the soul of the dead....

To what end? For them to come and be talking about the truth of where they are? Remember that
the rich man in Jesus' parable, even though himself was in torment, cared enough about his
brothers to ask that Lazarus be sent back to them to warn them!

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The rich man had memories of his brothers; Abraham also asked him to remember/cast his mind
back on how he enjoyed on earth and Lazarus suffered.

Also, in Revelations 6:10...souls of saints that had been killed on earth asked God to avenge their
deaths, if dead men don't know nothing, they will not remember the way they were killed not to
talk of asking that their deaths be avenged.

Leviticus 19:31 says "Regard not them that have familiar spirits....to be defiled by them: I am the
Lord your God"

This verse is saying in other words...the familiar spirits by which this people operate, (the
familiar spirit present itself as the dead person) will defile anyone who regard them or seek them
or employ their services.

In short, you are going to "carry" more than you thought or more than you bargained for.

This is still saying Satan cannot bring up the souls of dead men

HOWEVER, HOWEVER,

GOD IS SOVEREIGN GOD, GOD IS THE UNQUESTIONABLE GOD! He can do anything

He wants and chose to use even a witch if He wants.

On this one occasion, He allowed the soul of Samuel to come up, against normal pattern.So in
essence, the witch was not the one who "brought" him up. God did! How else can we explain the
surprise of the Witch?!!!She shouted! Things were not going according to plan. Things were
going out of hand o!

Ellicott's Commentary says "the translators of our Authorized version... implied that those who
practised this craft were supposed to be attended by an invisible spirit who was subject to their
call to supply them with supernatural information".

So Even if they bring up the souls of men or not, we get defiled by them and therefore we should
not engage in them or any other thing in common with them(palm reading, horoscope, ouija
boards, stargazing etc) for that matter.

What matters most is, one is getting defiled and that "bothers" God.

Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:10-12; 2 Kings 21:6

Someone may ask, so why was Saul asking the witch what she saw....

He must be double-checking to be sure it was really Samuel and that the witch was not just
deceiving him.
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In necromancy, only the necromancer communicates with the dead and then delivers the message
to the person consulting. The dead does not talk directly to the person consulting, it uses the
MEDIUM of the necromancer. That the pattern we see.

But in this case, the dead spoke directly to Saul and he heard with his own ears!

Another reason why it arguable that this was really Samuel in this one instant was that Samuel
said "you will be with me..."

When people die they go to hades which has three compartments or areas (a place of torment; a
great gulf and Abraham's bosom/paradise)...we can say the three are in one general area because
the rich man could see the place just by looking afar off.

If not that the gulf placed there, one could actually cross from one place to the other...

So Prophet Samuel was right in saying that from that angle though not in the same compartment.

It was also taught that before Jesus'death, paradise (one of the compartment)was below the earth
but after death, resurrection, he moved it up above the sky. The Bible said Jesus went down to
hades.

Acts 2:27 says "you will not leave my soul in hades....

It is believed that the dead saints that were recorded to have risen when Jesus was dead Matt
27:52-53, were the saints in Abraham bosom/paradise, being relocated up/on their way up.

And Paul said he knew a man who was caught "up" to the third heavens which has been
interpreted as paradise. 2 Cor 12:2-4 But Note that opinions differ on this....

It might be of interest that death (a state) and hell (a place [the part remaining, where the sinners
are]) were cast into the lake of fire (empty). Rev 20:13, 14....then after facing judgement V
12&15....the "whosoever" followed.....

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and
invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were
created by him, and for him:

Colossians 1:16 KJV

And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination
met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us,
and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way
of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I
command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

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Acts 16:16 - 18 KJV

The bible clearly states the woman did invoke the spirit of the dead prophet.

Most people possessed by such spirit (many of whom are in the church, acclaimed tongue
speaking believers) do not do so by the Holy Spirit. The bible clearly warns us to test all spirits.
Demonic spirits possess the power of divination. They foresee things but not by the spirit of God.
Most of these revelations are true.

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel,
which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication,
and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

Revelation 2:20 KJV

This is so much in the church today and so Christians must be very careful about the people we
seek for counsel, for prayers, for revelation and prophesies.Like the story clearly tells us, this
witch was very warm and hospitable. Anyone would have mistaken her for a child of God if she
had disguised as such. I mean she possessed godly qualities didn't she?

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of
Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is
no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end
shall be according to their works.

2 Corinthians 11:13 - 15 KJV

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders;
insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Matthew 24:24 KJV

The problem today is many of us assume there are certain places we have these kinds of
believers, like certain kinds of churches, or certain kinds of prayer houses but that's not true.
These kinds of diviners are everywhere. Prominent in major churches. Misleading believers with
doctrines because many of us believe them to have the power to see the beyond, as they call it,
prophecy. We must learn to test all spirits. Even the ones speaking within us.

THE CALL
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So, we send a call out to anyone here who before now had or still does indulge in these practices
in some small form or the other.

Especially the types inviting you to look into "who you were supposed to be”, “who are
your....?" or such like.

Today we call you to a time of repentance and realignment. Take a few minutes to close the
doors you opened. Plead the blood of Jesus.

Or maybe you did some 'seeing' for your children and since then you actually invited
manipulative spirits in, repent and plead the blood.

Lay your own hands on your children and reverse what was done or said and then SPEAK
WHAT IS!

Be deliberate about walking away from contrary spirits. We are to test the spirit even in
ourselves, so true, what have you believed that has manipulated you for long, what have you
allowed yourself buy into?

THE WORD IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY OF WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU ARE
ABOUT.

Itching right hand is not the judge for wealth, luck or blessing.

Twitching right eye is not the yardstick for death or whatever premonition. Only the counsel of
the Lord must be esteemed in your life.

Spend some time today to ask the Holy Spirit to show you your own heart.

2 Timothy 4:3-4

[3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

[4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables.

Beware!!!

God bless you.

COMPROMISED
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BATHSHEBA

FACILITATED BY Sister Ene Bolanta

POEM
A product of grace and mercy I am
I have received forgiveness and acceptance

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from the Most High
Uriah, I lost to one who is mightier
The guilt of losing him
as I was the prize
Summoned was I by royalty into secret chambers
Dark secrets in my heart that only God sees
The pain of sin, the consequence of evil
Life at its worst you may be tempted to think
But in all these I found forgiveness, love and acceptance
More than I deserved
A queen and a queen mother
In the lineage of grace
Love found me
Flawed as I was the perfect one lavished His mercies
Sinner I was but redeemed I am now.

By Sis Hamdalla Adelaiye

MEET HER

2 Samuel 11:2-5
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Bathsheba! beautiful damsel, so beautiful that king David couldn't take his eyes off her, daughter
of Eliam, granddaughter of Ahitophel and wife of Uriah the Hittite.

When her name is mentioned one thing comes to mind but let me not get ahead of myself.

Proverbs 31:30 says “charm can lie, beauty can vanish, but a woman who fears the Lord should
be praised”.

Bathsheba is a perfect example of how a woman matured from just being a "fine woman" to a
deep woman of strength and character.

It was on her account that her husband was murdered, he even bore his own death sentence in his
hands, all because of this beauty-full woman.

UPLINE TOUCH

Our beautiful woman Bathsheba woke up that day being the seventh day after her period that
month and according to the law of Moses went for the regular purification bath.

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Her husband was away at war at that time, it can be assumed she must have craved to hold her
child in her arms, at least to ease the loneliness whenever Uriah was gone.

King David bored from being indoors as his army was away fighting saw this beauty, he didn't
have to imagine anything because she was naked, fast forward to a few hours later she was
summoned to the palace and the king had his pleasure, it is not stated whether she protested or
not, all we know was after everything she went back home like everything was normal.

When she discovered she was pregnant the king wanted a quick fix and asked her husband Uriah
to return from battle, when that plan didn't go well Uriah got the death sentence.

One can only imagine the kind of pain Bathsheba must have felt, pain over her adultery and now
the guilt of knowing her husband was killed just to cover that up. The harsh reality may have hit
her when she was called to the palace as David's wife.

What kind of bride would she have looked like with a protruding belly? Everyone knew her
husband was at war, no wedding ceremony whatsoever was organized, imagine the accusing
stares from people, for she was the one that their darling king “lusted after” due to her beautiful
face and body.

At this point all she really had was this baby growing inside her, she may have repented at this
point and asked for mercy, but the child still died. It must have been a very terrible period for
her, should she grieve for this baby conceived in sin?

Few chapters down we see God giving her yet another son, isn't our God just so merciful? Even
in our lowest state He remembers us, one may have held this sin against Bathsheba but God gave
her a new slate, a fresh start. She didn't squander this opportunity but trained her son well, when
the time came for David to pick an heir it was her son Solomon that was chosen.

Truly God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the great.

Bathsheba's life is a proof that all things work together for good to those that love God and are
called according to His purpose. Even in an extremely difficult situation like the one Bathsheba
found herself in, God still took advantage of it and let His great light shine. We truly have an
amazing Father.

SIDELINE CONNECTIONS

Who were her friends? Whose counsel did she listen to? How did her life affect people around
her?

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 For purposes of this study, it shall be narrowed down to two people that Bathsheba had
connections with and may have encountered;

1. Ahitophel (her grandfather – 2 Samuel 15:12; 23:34)

2. Nathan (the prophet – 2 Samuel 12:14; 24-25)

Ahitophel was a man known for his great wisdom, in fact his counsel was likened to the voice of
God; 2 Samuel 16:23. He was David's chief counselor and it was recorded that his words never
fell to the ground.

The Bible does not record this, but one can only infer and imagine his dismay and anger when
his own granddaughter, a married woman was brought in to the king like a harlot just because of
a silly whim the king had, as if that wasn't bad enough David had her husband killed and took
her to the palace as his wife. Ahitophel may have been seething with anger and his heart may
have become very bitter. Again, the Bible does not record this, so this is just for illustrative
purposes.

Could it be possible that maybe because of what David did to Bathsheba that was why he gave a
wrong counsel to Absalom to attack David and his men (2 Samuel 17:1)?

Is it also possible by suggesting to Absalom to attack David and his men was borne out of a heart
of vengeance on his granddaughter Bathsheba?

Could it also be possible that because Absalom did not take his counsel, he went and hung
himself?

The Bible has no record of any of these, but these are some questions to ponder on.

Nathan was the prophet in Israel at that time, in fact it was by his mouth that God's verdict
concerning David and Bathsheba's adultery was passed, but in 1 Kings 1:11-14 we see prophet
Nathan giving Bathsheba counsel concerning her son sitting on the throne.

The point here is this: Nathan didn't hold Bathsheba by her sin, he looked beyond that, he let it
go as God had done.

As Christian women today, God expects us to have a heart like Nathan, don't help God keep a
diary of people's wrongs, don't " forgive but not forget" to keep people in check as some may
say, don't throw people's sinful acts in their faces, if God who they sinned against can forgive
them why are you keeping record of their sins?

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From the life of Ahitophel, one can only deduce that bitterness dries up the soul, bitterness
poisons up the wells of wisdom, life would be a whole lot better if we can learn to be merciful to
others just like our heavenly Father.

Many times, in thinking about Bathsheba, one’s thoughts might just narrow down to David,
Bathsheba and Uriah.

From this study, it shows that there were many players. Their adultery and deceit were not a
quiet one as most are.

 First, she was pregnant as at the time she was taken to David as wife. If that was okay for
a while, people may have calculated the days of marriage from the day the child is born.
Even if her pregnancy was not visible, the delivery would expose both. So, she may have
had shame accompanying her always.
 In the plot to murder her husband planned out by David, other women were widowed,
children became fatherless and valiant men lost their lives. So, around her bitterness for
another's momentary pleasure was brewing. Accusing eyes may have followed her steps.
 If David took her as wife because she was the young widow of one of his faithful men,
one might think that he should have married other young widows to provide for them.
 her family members would definitely have felt betrayed by David, there may have been
the possibility of alienation from all that was familiar. So, was she a favoured bride with
no family to rejoice at her 'blessedness'?
 Joab had to make a strategic decision that endangered his men. He became entangled in
the deceit/sin. His battle strategy came to question. Doubts for the safety of their lives
would plague soldiers.
 The men who went to bring her both times being cooped into the whole evil plot. Since
much isn't said about her before now, we may not have a full depiction of her person
before this incident.

However, after the adultery, marriage and the death of a son and all the accompanying pain and
alienation, it is possible she may have taken root downwards. She may have matured from the
trail of events.

She received counsel from Nathan according to 1 Kings 1:11-14. From the life of Solomon and
his words, she must have spoken words of wisdom and of God to him.

That God extends mercy to her, she may have repented at some point. It is also possible that her
repentance may have caused her to have a child that God sent a name for. Nathan gave the name

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Jedidiah to Solomon. Jedidiah meaning ‘BELOVED OF THE LORD’, because the Lord loved
the child. WOW! what a merciful God we serve; and God promised the kingdom to her lineage.

She may have sought to know the God of her husband for herself and taught it to her children.
This can be inferred from the book of Proverbs. She may have forgiven herself of her own
goofing and moved past that to greater things. Towards her husband, she may have been
deferent.

She didn't just take the law into her hands but gently reminded him of promises made to her.
When her son was king, she didn't jump to conclusions for him she made suggestions. It seems
she sought for a form of compromise by giving ear to the first son who came to her for her help
in getting the hand of Abishang to wife.

PUNCHLINE

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Some noteworthy lessons we can learn from Bathsheba are outlined below:

 No matter how bad a situation gets God knows how to weave great beauty out of much
ugliness.
 When we truly repent God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
 God does not keep record of our wrongdoings so we must be quick to forgive others too.
 We must not allow hurt to poison our hearts and make us bitter people.
 We must realize that there are always consequences of whatever action we take either
good or bad.
 We must rise up regardless of how low we may have fallen in the past; we must forgive
ourselves and run to God and not away from Him for He is our Father.
 We must surround ourselves with the right kind of people that are like God sees and will
spur us up to greatness.
 God loves us and no matter how far we have fallen from grace, forgiveness and mercy is
available for us if we repent.
 He keeps His covenant despite our mistakes. He still fulfills our destinies if we return to
Him. A broken heart and contrite spirit He will not despise.
 When people sin and fall from grace, stand not in the place of judgement over their lives,
if they repent God forgives them completely meanwhile, you are still holding on.
Maintain your own lane, run your own race. One is in danger of sinning against God if
you hold unto the mistakes of others.
 Do not be an Ahitophel whose wisdom turned to foolishness because he gave wrong
counsel to Absalom.
 Leave God to bring vengeance if you feel wronged or risk the danger of finding yourself
at war with your Maker. Forgiving would give you an enduring legacy.
 Finally, we must receive God's mercy for it is given already through Christ's finished
work on Calvary, mercy is given all that is left is for us to accept it.

PERTINENT QUESTION

 Why did Bathsheba not resist sleeping with David? Was she nursing such opportunity in
her mind?

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LIKELY ANSWERS

The Bible didn't record that Bathsheba nursed such a wicked thought in her mind. Maybe she
did, maybe not.

In their time, all people were subject to the king, so she may have succumbed easily because of
'respect for king' her husband has been a way, David had power, privilege and he was handsome.
He could have convinced her saying, nobody would know. After she got pregnant, he may have
promised her still, 'nobody would know', 'I will take care of it' until Nathan showed up!

Why couldn't she resist David? Could it be she felt weak, helpless and intimidated at that
moment? Could it be she feared she may lose her life? Could it also be she was bundled to the
palace against her wish? Many unanswered questions.

Also, in those days, I think the King could have his way if he desired anything. Many of his
loyal men would go any length to ensure that the king's desire is met. At some point for no real
reason David expressed a deep desire to drink water from the well of Bethlehem. Then, three of
his mighty men risked their lives to the point of death and broke through the garrisons of the
Philistines just to get a cup of water for their dear King. So, it is possible to think that Bathsheba
could not have resisted such mighty men. They could have plucked out her eyes balls for daring
to disobey the King's order.

Those who know their God shall be strong and do exploits. Maybe she wasn't knowledgeable
about what God can do. Daniel and his three friends were convinced that God would save them.
Could it be she was unsure if God would save her? It takes some level of personal revelation,
knowledge of God and inner strength to resist at gun point.

Ecclesiastes 8:4 Where the word of a king [is, there is] power; And who may say to him, "What
are you doing?"

The verse above was written by King Solomon, the wise man and son of Bathsheba. He asked
God for wisdom and this was one of his words of wisdom written down in Ecclesiastes.

Hmmm! When a King speaks (whether good or bad), his words are backed with power. It must
be carried out.

When God as the King of Kings speaks, His words do not return void of power. Even us, whom
God has made a Kingdom of kings and priests ought to know that our words carry power. When
we speak and release God's word, we should expect the Angels of God (ministering spirits) to go
forth and act swiftly for they hearken diligently unto the voice of His word.

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In the same manner, David was a King and his mighty men were like "the angels/ministering
spirits" waiting to execute his commands. Who dares say to them, "What doest though?" David
wasn't joking when he asked that Bathsheba be brought to him. He meant business. Bathsheba
here, finds herself in a deep pit.

If not for the wisdom of Abigail as we know, David would have wiped out her entire family. He
was ready to kill, and he wasn't yet in the palace as at then. Saul was still alive. If he could
threaten to wipe out a whole family when he was just an anointed king, what would have
happened to Bathsheba, now that he was king?

But this is just one view; another view is found when we direct our minds back to the parable
that Nathan narrated to David. This may give us a clue on Bathsheba’s involvement.

The parable talks about the little lamb being nourished and growing up with the poor man. The
lamb was so close to the owner that it lays on his bosom/chest or side. This depicts
innocence/fondness/contentment.

Also, this lamb was killed, showing suffering, pain and in general a victim. A lamb may have
been used to reflect meekness or lack of strength or voice to resist.

An important lesson to take away from this incident with Bathsheba, is to know how to package
ourselves well so we do not invite trouble or ungodliness. Of course, there is no excuse for sin
and David should have been at war rather than at home but what if an enclosed place was built
for bathing or the bathing done when it was pitch black? Where was she bathing before? We
cannot answer this for sure.

It could be that David happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. It is no excuse
though, taking a cue from Job who said, “I have made a covenant with my eyes, why should I
look upon a maid?”

Point to note here is that Bathsheba may have just been having an innocent bath and so not
inviting any trouble however, trouble may sometimes come uninvited. Best we be on guard and
cautious to close all doors by the help of the Holy Spirit.

If Bathsheba had such lustful desires towards David, God would have likely also spoken that out
through Nathan. He looks to the heart. Both David's and Bathsheba's hearts were open and naked
before God, yet only David was confronted and rebuked for his sins.

Another lesson to draw from this is not allowing loneliness within the marriage setting. It must
not have been easy to be the wife of a warrior. From one battle to another. He fought battles in
the valleys and mountains, but his wife may have been fighting battles in the wilderness of her
heart.
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Women were solemn when their men left for war. They could be widows if the men never return
from battle. They lived with uncertainty that these men may come home. In Bathsheba's case no
child yet from the union. What will become of her? Loneliness may have been her companion.
Many months of purification baths while waiting for Uriah who was never home. Self-pity may
have swallowed her up. Tears, anger, frustration, fear all mingled in her emotions. That can
weaken a strong resolve.

Today many women find themselves here. Men who work out of town or who travel a lot. How
should they handle this?

WE SUGGEST;

1) keep communication doors open.

1 Peter 4:8: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a
multitude of sins."

John 15:12: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
2) forgive quickly

James 3:16

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

3) Make up lost time with strong family times.

Ephesians 4:2: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in
love."

4) Don't stay in that status quo. Plan to be together. Work towards it. Sacrifices of a job or
something must be done.

Ephesians 4:27 ESV “and give no opportunity to the devil”.

Galatians 5:13

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh,
but by love serve one another.

5) Shun bitterness, it opens the door to filthiness.

Hebrews 12:15

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Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up
trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

REFLECTIONS!!!

Abigail did something to stop David from sinning, but Bathsheba did not. She fell under the
sweet spell for whatever unrevealed reason.

Here is an important call for self-examination, is your heart beating for someone else? In the
office, at home or online? Is there an emotional attachment to anyone aside from your husband?
What measures are you putting in place to help yourself in case you are faced with the person?
Do you pray against these temptations before or when faced? Do you take practical steps to
avoid giving in to this sort of temptation? Suppose your boss, colleague or friend has similar
feelings and you are unaware. Are you sensitive enough to stand up and defend yourself?

PRACTICAL ANSWERS

If you ever sense a funny move from a male boss or colleague. Praise your husband anytime and
every time before such a person in your times of discussions.

The only way to overcome carnality is by being spiritual, confirmed by the scripture that says, to
be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

If such feelings crop up, repentance and avoidance of frequent contact with the guy is key.

God says flee fornication and all appearances of evil.

The lady should work on herself when she senses wrong vibes, because lust gives birth to lust. If
left undealt with, Satan will present the occasion and you will find yourself doing what you
never thought you can do.

THE CALL
Thinking about Bathsheba and the mess of her life we can truly see how God made beauty out of
ashes though she was an old testament saint who experienced mercy.

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How much more would the blood of Jesus, our atoning sacrifice cleanse us from every filthiness
of the flesh and of the spirit, making us whole again? How much more shall that blood speak
better things for us in spite of our shortcomings? How much more shall mercy prevail over
judgment in our lives just because of the blood of Christ. There is hope for those who are in
Christ!

Beyond a shadow of doubt how great God's mercy and loving-kindness is. An extra ordinary
God making beauty out of ordinary people.

From this story of Bathsheba, we see the heart of God. His depth of love and mercy. Just how
much He doesn't want any man to perish but that all men should come to repentance. If you have
had some issues with the issues raised during this study, please repent, God promises
forgiveness.

Jeremiah 31:9

[9] They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to
walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a Father
to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Put your name there.

Have you been struggling with forgiving yourself? My dear, choose to let it go. Have you had
issues with accepting God's love and mercy? Let this truth sink in deep into the recesses of your
heart that;

Jeremiah 31:3

[3] The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting
love: therefore, with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

For you who have received God's mercy and are walking in the consciousness of His love know
that;

Jeremiah 31:12

[12]Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the
goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of
the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.

To us all,

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Psalms 107:1 Oh, thank God - He's so good! His love never runs out. mgs

Truly, we have an ever-loving God who turns things around.

Jeremiah 31:13-14

[13] Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn
their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

[14] And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with
my goodness, saith the LORD.

Make it a point to read the whole of Psalms 107 in The Message translation.

Such a beautiful read.

God bless us all

VIOLATED TAMAR
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FACILITATED BY Sister Mary Efunkoya

POEM

My Life..

Beautiful, Sweet and Secure

I am royalty

Nothing fazes me

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...so, I thought

How wrong was I

In a split second I lost all

My virtue taken violently like a cruel joke

By none other but one I trusted

Why? How could I not have seen the signs?

My heart bleeds daily

Not only because of the act

But because nothing is done about this

He struts around

Free to wreak more havoc on another unsuspecting prey

I feel broken

I am angry

At him

At me

At father

But I must let go of the pain

I must turn to the Father who alone can make me whole

I have to get my worth from His words

My past doesn't determine my future

With the Almighty even my deepest pain can be healed and turned around

by Sis Ene Bolanta

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MEET HER

2 Samuel 13:1-22

Tamar means "date tree" or "palm tree".

Symbolic Palm Meanings:

Honor, Truth, Value, Vitality, Warmth, Fertility, Expansion, Protection, Aspiration, Attainment,
Unification, Resurrection, Singleness of Purpose. In all the palm branch is a symbol of Victory.

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Tamar was a very beautiful girl. The only mentioned daughter of king David. As a princess she
was an asset not to be toyed with. Being a Princess, meant she was or could be very important in
the political well-being of David's kingdom.

Tamar lived in the palace. The palace was her security, her safe haven. She was not only
protected by guards, she had Absalom her big brother and all her other brothers all around her.
She must have felt really secured.

Alas, pain, hurt, defilement showed up right under her father's roof. In that same palace with all
the security she had, Tamar was defiled. Amnon, her half-brother, David's eldest son, the heir
apparent, raped her!

Now, these were the king’s children, they lived in the palace, they knew the laws, Amnon knew
what he wanted was wrong, in every way. He would probably not have slept with Tamar if not
for Jonadab's advice. (NLT Bible describes Jonadab as crafty).

Answer this sincerely, who are your children's closest friends? Who are your closest friends? We
dare say that a friend who can't tell you to your face that what you have in mind to do is wrong
isn't a good friend.

Tamar was innocent. In her innocence she never knew what Amnon had in mind. How would she
have even imagined that her brother would think of doing such a thing. Such an abomination!!!

She pleaded! No!

She was even ready to marry him if only he would talk to the king, after all Amnon could have
her as a wife, but Ammon wouldn't budge. He wanted her there and then.

Amnon had claimed love for Tamar but was this real love?

What love could lead to rape?

Oh my! Such a terrible act. Imagine how Tamar felt! Used! Abused! Defiled! In her own father's
house, by her own brother, under the same roof! How does that all come together?

Her home was supposed to be her protection, where she should be kept safe. She was a Princess;
she should probably be married off to another royal family in a colourful gallant ceremony.
Now, that was stolen from her. The Princess was defiled in the palace and then thrown out like a
rag. Used and useless! Amnon had no need of her anymore. The one who claimed love for her,
now had super hatred for her. He called his valet to throw her out. Wow! as if raping her was not
enough, the Princess was now dirt, filthy, unwanted!

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Tamar tore her clothes and rubbed ashes on her head. What was there to hide? What she had safe
guarded and cherished, her pride, her self-esteem, her honor, was rudely snatched from her.
Even though she was still alive, she had just died! Selah!

Absalom came to her rescue, took her to his place where she lived bitter and desolate. What a
life! Tamar had lost all hope of a husband or a family. Her future had just been stripped from her.
Absalom told her not to take it to heart, but Absalom did and two years later he killed his brother
Amnon. The Bible said before the killing that Absalom never said one word to Amnon whether
good or bad. Hmmm, that's a long time to be in malice with someone (God have mercy!). That
was long enough for the thought of killing Amnon to have rooted itself deep down.

Another point here is, the Bible records David did nothing to Amnon. Why? He didn't correct, he
didn't rebuke, he didn't punish, he didn't even confront him. David shut his eyes to the evil in his
house. Was he just hoping that somehow everything would just vanish? Or as the heir apparent
was Amnon untouchable? Didn't he notice his daughter's state of being? Didn't he know or hear
that Absalom wasn't in talking terms with Amnon? For someone who had a relationship with
God, what went wrong? Where did he miss it? How could he shut his eyes to the evil brewing in
his own household? Had he been desensitized to rape as a sin because of the means by which he
had gotten Bathsheba? 2 Samuel 12: 10-1.

Was this a cycle of the influence of sin in David's home? David's lust leading to Amnon's lust,
then David's murdering act leading to Amnon's murder?

Are there secret sins we are hiding under the carpet, hoping it would never raise its head? Sin not
dealt with will only grow and the effect is always worse than the first.

UPLINE TOUCH

2 Samuel 13:1-22

The Bible didn't talk about the depth of Tamar's relationship with God. But it is evident she knew
what was right before God.

She knew marriage and purity were a just requirement for sex. But after the rape, she was grief
strikened, maybe inconsolable. The depth of grief Tamar felt and had to endure can't be fully
imagined. The pain, the betrayal, the anguish and disappointment.
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At such times, she could have closed the door on the love, mercy and healing of God. This shuts
off a relationship with God. Tamar, most likely after this, got further away from God.

This happens to many of us Christians today. Situations that lead to this kind of negative
feelings. Leaving us in desolation and despair. We wish we could turn back the hands of time.
Change the narrative. But often we can't. Such situations that leaves one to the judgement of
others. Those pointing fingers, making us want to hide forever. It’s hard to really comprehend.
Those events that make you constantly asking yourself "why me?" But then no matter what the
situation is, we must always remember that the mercy of God is able to save us.

If only Tamar could have trusted in God's mercy. Who says she couldn't have been married
afterwards and gotten a good home? The same God who would forget the past of women like
Rahab and settle them in an honourable way would have done even more for her.

No matter what circumstances befall us, no matter the pain and shame, we must always learn to
forgive ourselves, forgive our offenders and trust in the mercy of God to lift us above it. We
must learn to fight the battle first in our minds where the devil tries to paint the picture in such a
way that there seems no way out of our misery and often we succumb to it. We must trust always
in the redeeming love of Jesus. He surely would lift us out of our miry clay and give us a better
tomorrow.

Holding on to these pains leaves one in bitterness and unforgiveness. These often cover a person
in a cloud of darkness that can hardly be removed. Definitely, Tamar blamed her half-brother for
what he did. Blamed her father for sending her to him. Possibly hated her father for not saying
anything about it. The blames, the pains all just made the root of bitterness deeper.

Rape is such a terrible thing to happen to any individual. A victim of rape is one who was
helpless in that situation. Most recline to a state of humiliation and despair and shut out other
people out. Some can't even forgive themselves; they carry the guilt as if they were the cause.
Rape indeed is horrible; it is all encompassing.

It is a hideous act that strips the victim of dignity, self-worth, self-value, honour, essence, focus,
vision, ambition, passion and many times even life itself. It leaves the person in a real and deep
pain...It is a violation of the person's integrity...The assault, the infliction does not end with the
act. Most times there's a ripple effect. It is not limited to that incident, in fact it has the tendency
to be lifelong, as in Tamar's case.

Its impact goes beyond the surface, the seen, the quantifiable. This is because the impact is not
just PHYSICAL, but also, EMOTIONAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL, RELATIONAL AND
EVEN SPIRITUAL (sex is a spiritual thing).

Rape is a weapon being used by the devil against not only the victims but also the perpetrators.
But truly, was Tamar's life finished? What would have happened if she had dusted off her shame,

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put her despair aside, forgiven and gone back home? In Tamar's case, she withdrew. She felt
humiliated. Before her very eyes, her life was over. She never went back to her home on record
except maybe after Absalom's death. She gave up. Instead she allowed herself wallow in despair,
in grief, in misery. She stayed degraded. These things just eat one up from the inside out.

God does not take sexual sin lightly. He asks us to pursue purity. God frowns at every hint of
sexual immorality whether innocently or knowingly involved.

1 Corinthians 6:18- Flee from sexual immorality.

Ephesians 5:3- Amongst you there mustn't be a hint of sexual immorality.

At the same time God never forsakes his own, whether victim or criminal. He offers help,
comfort, healing and forgiveness. She may have known about Absalom's desires and plans to kill
Amnon. She probably fueled it somehow by her obvious despair. After all, they lived together
and shared the same misery.

Proverbs 24:16: The righteous falls seven times but rises again.

Thank God for the mercy seat. No matter how many times or how far we fall, we can rise back
up, pick up our cross and follow Christ.

Tamar was a good girl. She knew the right route to take before sex is allowed. She was a virgin.
But we weren't really told her in depth relationship with God. Did she know how to inquire of
the Lord?

Did she have a vital relationship with the God of her father? Not really.

The point to note here, show your God to your children. Teach them how to listen and follow the
voice of the shepherd. Lead them to the Rock!

There was always healing in God. Rahab got reinstated as a wife! Why not Tamar? Bathsheba,
her step mother was made a queen. But she didn’t know how to receive healing. Her sad end was
put in a disheartening way...

2 Samuel 13:20b

[20]... So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.

Her experience was painful, but she needn't remain desolate. A vital relationship with God would
have fixed that.

COUNSEL FOR VICTIMS OF RAPE

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  Ask victims to seek for medical help which could be in form of preventing sexually
transmitted infections (HIV, Hepatitis B etc), preventing pregnancies, other screenings
and etc.
 Victims should also be encouraged to seek for spiritual help, psychological
help/counselling and even litigation if they so wish to pursue it.
 It is a very sensitive issue that requires wisdom to handle...
 In sharing the incident, the sharing of the information should be on a need-to-know basis
to limit the social stigma and the tendency to blame the victim that is usually associated
with it...

HOW TO APPROACH A VICTIM OF RAPE

The only approach to a rape victim is encouragement, prayers and genuine love.

Say to a rape victim, "I may not know what you are going through, but my imagination helps me
feel your pain. I pray that Jesus will comfort you with every comfort so you can comfort others."

Point to note from the story of Tamar, is that she was not sensitive to the sprit. We must learn to
be sensitive to the sprit and also allow the Spirit of God to guide us at every point, so as to avoid
being victims of circumstances. If Tamar was sensitive to the leading of the holy spirit, she
would have been spare shame (although the Holy Spirit was not made known during her time.
Perhaps having a personal relationship with the God of her father may have made the difference).

SIDELINE CONNECTION

She seemed to have a bond with her brother Absalom. In her time of need, he stood by her. Her
mother was not mentioned at all in the narration that could say a lot. Maybe a lack of bond
between them. She didn't even return to her quarters in the palace.

She may have been a favoured princess at the time, but her father looked away in her time of
deep emotional need. Was this as a result of accusation or irritation? We can safely suppose
though that she was an obedient child before this rape event.

Jonadab was her cousin too, but he led her brother Amnon to molest her. Why? Maybe just male
dominance. She had other half brothers and sisters; none was recorded to come to her in her
distress. That's the kind of rift and competition polygamy encourages.
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Her story is heart wrenching and carries the deep pain of the silent tears and voices of
uncountable women violated by the act of rape. Her story comes just after the story of
Bathsheba.

Is Ammon a case of like father like son?

Tamar showed herself, not only a beautiful girl but was also wise, intelligent, obedient,
hardworking and God fearing. She was focused and knew what she wanted from life. She had
dreams and aspirations.

She went to tend to her supposedly ill half-brother “Ammon”. As soon as she got to Ammon’s
house, she set about her task of preparing a meal for him. This implies she could cook. Great
virtue! After preparing the meal, she attempted to serve the meal, but her brother had other plans.
Meaning, she knew how to serve! Beautiful!

A point to note here is that it appears she did not see danger looming when Ammon sent all the
servants away. Indeed, he could not commit this heinous crime in their presence. She was not
very sensitive at this point. Hmmm...This is not to cast blame on an innocent girl. But to instruct
that we should coach our children to be aware of their environment and of subtle changes.

On the rape story of Tamar, what we are doing here is part of the public enlightenment ongoing
to change people’s attitude about rape.

We often instinctively search for a cause other than the real one (that someone was raped
because a man with the power to do so decided to rape her). Perhaps we proffer the reason for
the rape as tied to the place she was raped, or the time of the day, or the clothes she was wearing,
or the fact that she was alone.

This way of thinking deflects blame from where it rightly belongs with the perpetrator of the
crime. This crime is punishable by law in places where the justice and crime system is working
effectively. So, we call what it is, a crime. Just like when a robber robs people of their
properties. So, by this study we hope we are changing that tilt.

To analyze her sideline connections with special attention to her ordeal beginning with her
father.

David:
When Ammon approached David with his proposal, why didn’t he see through it. How common
is it for a brother to want to feed from a particular sister because he is ill? That seemed like a red
flag!

If he felt compelled to agree then he should have been watchful on her behalf. This shows, he
also had weak parenting skills with all his anointing. He seemed to love his children too much to
the extent of not seeing beyond that love.
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Secondly David heard about the deed and was very furious and that was all!

How horrible!

How infuriating!

Even if he felt he was an adulterer and could not judge, at least he married Bathsheba, he should
have made Ammon marry her. She was prepared to make that deal after the damage was done.
She was ready to live with the consequences as the law stated in Deuteronomy. Is Ammon above
the law? That singular act may have saved Ammon’s life and restored Tamar's dignity.

David was not proactive at all as far as this matter goes. Stopping short of saying he was a bad
parent.

David as father and king should have had Amnon disciplined rightly for his actions. It wouldn't
have restored her virginity, but Tamar would have taken solace that justice was given in her
favour. It would have shown her father did not support her brother's actions to take her for
granted. It would have given her some form of comfort that someone cared enough to correct her
brother which I guess her brother Absalom tried to do but did wrongly. David's actions would
also have deterred other men in that time who had such evil desires.

The law was clear on the issue of rape.

Deuteronomy 22:27 - 29 KJV

For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her. If
a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with
her, and they be found; Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty
shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her
away all his days.

Her father was a blind bat in this instance and insensitive as well.

But the good thing to pick from David was, he goes to visit his children when they were sick. He
actually left matters of state to attend to them on their bed. That's a beautiful quality.

Jonadab:
Son of Shimea, David’s brother shows himself a shrewd, cunning, heartless man with no value
for decency, integrity or respect for human order. He is Ammon’s cousin and friend and equally
guilty for what happened to Tamar. But for his advice, Ammon would have lusted away and not
been bold enough to carry out his desire.

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He preyed on David’s weakness where his children were concerned and exploited it in his advice
to Ammon. Ammon took his advice and bingo it worked. Some men may never rape a woman,
but they condone and abate acts of rape like Jonadab. They help to perpetrate the culture of
silence and busy servants who are around and disappear for the act to go on. This category of
friends of rapists are common in universities, workplaces and almost everywhere, they objectify
women and prey on their innocence. They are as guilty.

Notice he was around David again when Ammon died and appeared not to be fooled and even
knew that Absalom’s invitation was a scheme to kill Ammon alone. He again seemed to have
some foresight but did nothing to warn his “friend” of his impending doom. May God deliver us
and our households from such friends and family members like Jonadab. Ah! Jonadab.

But the real evil was that even after David knew the instigator, Jonadab was still very much
within the courts. Still viewed as a trusted family member.

Point to note is, don't keep a dangerous person around you and your children especially in the
name of family. Jonadab was a snake.

Absalom:
David’s favourite son, was proactive and wanted justice for his sister. He offered her comfort in
word and in deed. He took matters into his own hands, kept malice for two years and plotted his
revenge on what Ammon had done. He had Ammon killed and fled to his mother’s people for
three years.

Overly loving father David missed him so much and yearned for him. At the end he came back
and attempted to usurp the throne from his father. He also raped David's ten concubines on the
roof of the palace in the full view of all Israel, perhaps from the same roof that David stood and
saw Bathsheba. This saga of violence and bloodshed in David's dynasty was prophesied by
Nathan. The result of sin in the home. Hmmm.

Ammon:
A man consumed by lustful and incestuous inordinate desire for his beautiful half-sister that
made him throw all caution and reason away to snatch her innocence from her. He was desperate
and took desperate measures to ensure he got what he wanted. He schemed, plotted and planned
the whole thing in such a way that he was going to have his way.

He showed himself to be foolish, selfish, without self-control, conceited, wicked, misogynistic

and heartless. There was no room for repentance, pity or remorse for what he had done. He was
David’s first born and heir apparent to the throne. How could a prince be so churlish? Fingers

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again at David, was he too permissive as a parent? Did he always give the boy everything he
asked for without question?

Back to Tamar, her pain was real, and her evil experience cannot be taken from her, did she have
the safety net and support she needed to heal and recover completely? Did she ever have a
chance to be reintegrated into society without stigma? Her case did not appear so, but for every
woman who is hurting for any reason there is a balm in Gilead and blood flowing freely from
Emmanuel’s veins to heal, cleanse and restore. A chance to heal from the guilt and impurity
imputed into women for no fault of theirs. A chance to rise above adversity, start to live again, to
win again and to help others from falling into the same trap. A chance to give a covering and
comfort to other descendants of Tamar.

PUNCHLINE

2 Samuel 13: 1- 22

The study so far has brought out different angles and points one needs to be mindful of.

Relationships: Either ours or that of our kids.

Sensitivity: To the Holy spirit, to those around us, especially where our kids are involved.

Overindulgence: As parents and guardians we need to be careful.

Deception: Covering up a wrong to look good in the public eye.

Pain, grief, sorrow: These are real feelings experienced by real people and we ought to be
sensitive to those going through such and much more.
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Neglect of parental responsibility: Her mother was not mentioned in this story. She wasn't
dead. Her name was Maacha. How come she could only go to her brother?

No father (no matter how accomplished) can fill the gap of a mother.

A mother should have been able to see through such a call for her daughter by a sick half-
brother. A younger brother or sister or maid should have accompanied her.

Insensitivity of the lady: At a point in her ministering to her brother where he sent everyone
away should have jolted her. Then he asked that his meal should be served in the bedroom. We
should teach caution and ability to be conscious of our environment to our children.

Tamar knew how to cook! A girl living in the palace with servants attending her, yet she could
cook! We as mothers should be challenged! Let the children cook.

Tamar was at the point of puberty where most females at that age are truly naïve virgins. It is a
sensitive time where mothers in particular should be close to their girls and guard, guide and
direct them spiritually and in so many other areas.

Here, there was a lot of carelessness though the blame is not Tamar's. Truth is, parenting was
faulty, and this has absolutely nothing to do with the level of David's relationship with God.

The act of rape silences many women. For every woman who ever speaks of rape there are
thousands more who never say anything for fear of desolation like Tamar. Women have been
shamed, disgraced, humiliated, denied justice for rape like Tamar. Some have even lost their
lives and their stories buried forever as a direct effect of rape. Some have died seeking justice.

Notice again that the rape was by a very close relation. This category of rape cases are more
rampant, sometimes perpetrated by very close family members and those who commit the crime
are protected from facing justice by the same family members. At the end of the day, rape is not
reported or under reported. Her family which was meant as a safety net was her undoing. She
was let down by her family and close associates before during and after the rape. From the
account it seems she became damaged goods and never recovered or married hence, she had no
descendants. Ironically though, she had countless spiritual descendants of women in all
generations who share a similar story.

Tamar wasn't spiritually sensitive but where was her mother, what about her father David? When
Ammon made the request. Why wasn't he sensitive enough to know something was amiss. In a
house full of slaves and servants, why request for Tamar? What was the relationship between the
two siblings before this event?

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There is so much that we as parents are responsible for, not just in protecting our children but
also considering David's reaction after the deed was done reflects the reaction of so many parents
today.

Why cover these things up to the detriment of the victims? In our own selfishness, we don't want
to suffer the fallouts of such scandals and we leave our children scarred and marred for life.

May God give us wisdom as parents in protecting our children and supporting them in issues that
are sensitive.

The story of Tamar exposes conditions that are prevalent in homes, especially in African homes
and some other similar cultures globally where the extended family system holds sway. Cases
like this abound, even if it is not rape, other sorts of molestation, child abuse, uncles to little
nieces, aunties to little or teenage nephews, house helps, etc. Bible says:

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion,
looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith. Remember
that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you
are.

1 Peter 5:8 - 9 NLT

We must handle the issue of RAPE on our knees as individual, family and also corporate prayer
altar.

Please as mothers of the home, let's always be wary of family members of the same gender and
opposite gender sleeping in the same space.

A lot of Christian homes today have daughters like Tamar. They would want to cover the issue to
avoid the criticism especially from the brethren. No Christian wants to look like their home is the
faulty one. We always want to paint a flawless picture. Yet the rot is deep inside.

In most of our homes today, what is the level of the father's involvement in the children's
welfare? Sometimes, most fathers are clueless as to how to manage their children, especially
their daughters’ personal issues. Most of these things are left to the mothers.

This isn't right. True, women are more sensitive to personal issues concerning our children
especially daughters, but fathers should be as involved too.

Christians tend to be afraid of showing vulnerability. But we must remember that anointing over
our lives does not make us superhuman. There are areas where we have short comings and we
must be sincere enough to admit them and seek for help.

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Parenting is no joke and we mustn't take it lightly. Looking at Tamar, a child's destiny was
completely destroyed because her parents did not do right by her. Many times, we are
overwhelmed and confused. We must trust God for wisdom and seek right counsel.

May God give us wisdom as parents in protecting our children and supporting them in issues that
are sensitive.

THE CALL

We have already established that Tamar's experience is not too far from the experiences of many
women today. A lot of women and children have been abused by family members at a very
young age.

The effects of rape and sexual abuse is real and deep but there is healing, and this healing is in
God. He is the balm of Gilead. When we surrender the hurts and the pains to God, He takes the
broken pieces and puts us back together again.

Bringing this home. Not all of us can relate with a rape case. You may not have been raped but
maybe, just maybe there's a little bit of Tamar inside of us. The pain, the hurt, the insecurity, the
guilt. Offences from things people have done to us or that we have caused on others.

Maybe yours is an emotional abuse. Maybe someone you loved and trusted took undue
advantage of you. An emotional affair gone sour. Pains of actions we have taken that have led to
sexual sins that we did not anticipate. That friendship with the opposite gender that went out of
control. Whatever thing you have done that has brought you shame sexually speaking or even
otherwise. Verbal or physical abuse that has left you scarred.

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Sometimes it’s our spouses that have caused us pain. Someone we trusted and gave our all to. A
brother or sister from church. Whether a cause or a victim, a little part has been shut down by
this pain, desensitized, walls have been built to protect our hearts and keep people out.

Sometimes the pain is so bad you just can't pray. The devil won't even give you breathing space.
We have all been there one way or another.

That's when to rise up and tell yourself

Romans 8:31: "If God be for me, who can be against me."

Romans 14:4 NKJV:

Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be
made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

When the condemning voices come calling remind the devil that he is not your master. Jesus is
your Master. If you fall, you fall before Jesus and Jesus is able to make you stand.

Don't ever let the devil have the last say. Let your voice be always louder than his.

John 10:10

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may
have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Romans 8:1 NKJV:

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk
according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

If God doesn't condemn you, don't stay there. Forgive yourself if you have sinned. Forgive those
who sinned against you. Lay it down at the foot of the cross and walk away. Trust in God to give
you a 360° turn around and experience the love and joy that can only be found in Christ. There's
always a message in our mess.

Yesterday is gone. Today is here. Today is a new day. God says He gives us new mercies every
day. What are you writing on the pages of your today?

As long as we are in God, there's always a fresh hope for us each and every day. Let each day
take us closer to God and what He has in store for us.

Handing over our lives, our cares our fears, our anxieties, our worries, our pain, our hurts to God
is watching him take all that and create a beautiful flower that buds and blossoms brightly.

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Acknowledge your mess but leave it with God because that mess is actually what God needs
from us to create a beautiful masterpiece.

You may need to deal with some pertinent issues prayerfully as an individual. Be careful to do
so.

You may need to repent and rebuild foundations; God is a PRESENT help in time of need.

ACTIVITY

Our assignments are clear cut:

 Reach inwards and recheck our parenting skills.

 Reach out to a hurting person with love and understanding. Forgive an offender.
 Reach down and uproot wrong foundations that can serve as leeway in your generation.
Shut that door firmly.
 Reach up and take hold of the mercy and help that God has extended lavishly towards
you.

 You are an object of His mercy not of His wrath.

Let us pray.

Break bread sometime today.

Rejoice in your salvation.

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LADY WISE

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FACILITATED BY Sis Cynthia Njeakor

POEM

Heavy thuds and angry voices

Came floating in as I sat still

What's that I asked

But all I saw was fear in their eyes

"We're doomed" "we're doomed" they screamed

Joab doesn't change his mind

But forward still I walked

Our city Abel known for peace

Would not be brought to ruins for no cause

Boldly but gently I approached him

Soft words spoken on the wings of prayer

Angry as you may seem there's a better way

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Glory to God he listened

Abel is saved and justice is served

By Sis Ene Bolanta

MEET HER

2 Samuel 20

After David was settled in again as king in Jerusalem, he set about punishing those who had
rebelled against him.

David’s armies had been fighting to put down the last faction of a widespread rebellion, the
remaining rebel leader, Sheba, who had called for the northern tribes to secede, fled with his men
to Abel Beth Maacah, a northern outpost of Israel. David’s ruthless general, Joab went after
them. Joab traced Sheba to Abel Beth-maacah and began to lay siege on the town. We are not
told why Joab decided to completely destroy the town rather than just ask them to give up the
refugee. Perhaps he was tired after searching for so long. Abel was some distance from
Jerusalem. It was six miles to the west-northwest of the city of Dan. Perhaps Joab was just being
the hothead that he was, after all Joab had slain many men before including some innocent ones.
He probably had no patience.

As the troops were battering the walls, a character identified only as a “wise woman” appeared
and demanded to speak to Joab. Surprisingly, the battle stopped. This unnamed wise woman
realized what was going on and decided to save her city. She certainly had the respect of the

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people. She decided to open communication with Joab and asked his officers to get him for her.
Joab consented to speak with her. She reproached Joab with some skillful arguments.

Just like Abigail that we studied earlier, this woman skillfully began her plea for her city. She
reminded Joab that the city of Abel Beth-maacah was a special place in Israel. The town was
known as a peacemaker in that province for many years. There was a saying in fact about Abel –
“They will surely ask advice at Abel, and thus ended the dispute.” (2 Samuel 20:18)

The wise woman respectfully asked Joab why he would want to destroy such a peace-loving city.
She said to Joab, “I am of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You are seeking to
destroy a city, even a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?”
(Verse 19).

They negotiated, and she agreed to hand Sheba over in return for Joab’s peaceful withdrawal.
She promised, “His head shall be thrown over the wall to you” and that is exactly what
happened. Sheba is beheaded, and the troops disperse.

What courage this woman had to speak to the commander of a besieging army this way. Joab had
a reputation for being ruthless. She knew that. The wise woman took a chance, but God was with
her. The wise woman was successful in calming Joab down. Joab realized that she was being
more just than he was.

This woman must have had a lot of respect and even authority as a “wise woman”. The people of
Abel were happy that she had negotiated with Joab for them. They listened to her advice now.
After all, they were faithful subjects of King David. They wanted no part of a traitor. They were
willing to wield the sword of justice immediately. They cut off Sheba’s head and threw it over
the wall. Joab returned to Jerusalem to King David. The city of Abel was saved.

Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the
son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city,
every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.

2 Samuel 20:22 KJV

Isn't it amazing that at the exact time this woman needed help from the people in her city she got
it? The bible says, " they cut off Sheba's head", this means she didn't kill him herself. She knew
how to speak with people applying wisdom to get the right thing done.

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As women how do we relate with people at work, in our neighborhood even our husbands? If
something comes up this very minute do you have people that are certain of your wisdom and
integrity that you can count on to do what is expected?

A great leader doesn't always do everything by herself but propels others to be their best in the
unique areas God has blessed them.

As we read the story a number of questions come to mind: what prompted this woman to go to
the wall in the middle of a battle and confront her nation’s chief military commander? Why did
he stop and listen to her? Negotiate with her? And what was it about her that caused the residents
to follow her orders?

UPLINE TOUCH

Reading through in verse 19, it's obvious that she was a woman that feared God as she stated, her
faithfulness and loyalty to God and to the people. She called herself a 'mother in Israel'.

Though, she was nameless, but she recognized herself as a leader and she was courageous
enough not only to save herself but her entire city. Her name was unknown probably to teach us
that you don't have to be known before you influence situations around you positively. Many
things could be so wrong around us, her story tells us you don't need to be a big-name
man/woman to influence positively. Be at your Wall of Abel, use words of wisdom not might.
Use your rhema from what your spirit stores up daily and speak to situations from the word of
God.

We don't need to stamp our name as so and so to make impact wherever we find ourselves. We
just have to consciously and intentionally do that which we are called to do to the Glory of God.

To step out and do what God calls anyone to do requires courage, boldness and inner strength as
exemplified in the life of this woman. We can only do all things through Christ who strengthens
us.

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God is the source of our strength and courage. When fear grips our hearts and minds, we must
look up to Him to strengthen us from inside out. Jesus said in John 15, "Without Me, you can do
nothing".

Joshua was called to fight and conquer giants and territories. God knew the size of those giants
were enough to cripple Joshua with fear. So, He commanded Joshua ahead of time to be strong.

In

Joshua1:6, God said,"

6, Be strong and of a good courage".

7, "Only be strong and very courageous.".

9, "Have I not commanded you, be strong and of good courage".

Without courage and inner strength, we can't accomplish anything worthwhile. Until we begin to
see challenges and situations that seem insurmountable as an avenue for growth rather than a
threat to us, we may not make that daring move.

We many a times shrink back at some things we know our hearts call out to and yearn to do just
because we have never faced such oppositions and challenges before, but think of it; If you keep
attending the same class and writing the same exam each school year, doesn't that tell you at
some point that you won't be graduating to the next level anytime soon?

Look down through time at events that have happened in your life through which you became
stronger, wiser and more mature...what pattern do you see?

This woman of Abel was so wise and courageous, in a bad situation, a raging battle in which
Joab was set to totally destroy her city she didn't shrink back in fear she went forward and found
a way through. As women what is that issue that is pressing in on you in respect to your home,
family, work, or ministry? And more importantly what's your reaction towards it? Are you
shrinking back in fear or do you have a victorious mindset in looking for a way to overcome that
issue?

The bible says that

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will
not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way
to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV

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There is ALWAYS a way out of every challenge that comes to us and the fact that that challenge
came means that it is not something we cannot bear/overcome.

Talking about our Lady Wise of Abel, one is tempted to talk about her wisdom immediately. But
consider her courage, when we act in courage, we are wise.

We read in

1 Corinthians 16:13-14…. Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
14 Do everything in love.

Through Scriptures, we discover that God wants us to have courage in all circumstances that
seem undesirable. While courage is a desirable trait, a life of courage is particularly empowering,
being courageous when it comes to your faith is a lot easier said than done.

Often, we are intimidated by any role where people count on us, we assume we don’t deserve
that honor. There is this internal struggle that we women often encounter as we take up the
mantle of power. Many of us internalize false messages about the nature of meekness, humility,
and femininity that cause us to self-sabotage and devalue our own callings.

We hold ourselves back in ways both big and small, by lacking self-confidence, by not raising
our hands, and by pulling back especially for some of us who grew up with some cultural beliefs
that women are meant to be seen not heard.

As believing women, we must learn to embrace the grace of God to change our world and begin
to be leaders in our various callings and areas of influence. We must volunteer where we see a
need.

Thank God for the wise woman of Abel, who did not sabotage the victory of her people by
declining to do what God had laid in her heart to do.

Mary Sumner, the woman who started the Anglican Mothers’ Union has an inspiring story. She
was just a young lady who loved Christ but dared to move beyond her comfort zone at a time
when it was unusual to have women speak up in public meetings. By that act, God used her to
change and transform the lives of women in her time.

Joshua 1:9 tells us, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified: do not be discouraged, for
the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Our Wise lady of Abel may have been nervous and afraid at first, but she remembered the same
word “be Strong and courageous” and took action to do the needful despite her fears. She
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pressed through the fear maybe shakily. Maybe her mind was racing away with all kinds of
“what if” thoughts. She embraced the grace and power of God and plunged through her fear. We
have to trust God beyond our fears no matter what we are faced with. The word of God is sure
and abiding. This is far from easy. We have all been there too many times to know that this can
be tough.

But if we want to change the course of history, we must be willing to dare to be strong and
courageous. Life is an exciting adventure, but it is also a struggle. Every great success has been
achieved by those who are willing to dare, and every winner had fears at some point.

Are there needs in your sphere of influence that you know God is asking you to do something
about?

What are you waiting for???????????????

Now we have female Prime Ministers, Pastors, and so on. The world is changing. These women
are also mothers and handling the callings of God in their lives as well.

 Dare to be that woman that changed that policy.

 Dare to be that woman that spoke up against evil in that workplace

 Dare to be that woman that won that soul who later became a president.

 Dare to be that woman that trained up her children to be godly and different.

 Dare to be that woman that is the CEO employing labor.

 Dare to be that ……………….

Do you have some dares staring you in the face, DARE TO DO THEM!

God has called us women as much as He has called the men. There is so much God can
accomplish through our lives as women if we can only dare to trust Him and step out. Many of
us can sense that God is calling us to do different things for Him both small and big; from
increasing our prayer time, praying for souls, winning a soul, leading that small group to serving
in larger capacities but we lack the confidence to lay hold on these things .

So dear sisters, if you are sensing God calling you to dare to do something mighty for His
kingdom, don’t be afraid to step out to do so. Despite the challenges you might face, you can
count on God Himself to make it possible for you to accomplish whatever He calls you to do.

Here’s how you can dare to do mighty things for God as a woman:

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  Let us learn to see ourselves as leaders. Most often, we don’t. We see ourselves as just a
wife, a mother, a sister. We tend to shrink our ambitions down to fit others’ expectations
of us, shrink it to fit who they think we are. It's as if we don’t deserve to reach our full
potentials.

 We should bear in mind that leadership is simply a process whereby an individual

influence a group of people to achieve a common goal just like our wise woman did.

 You can do that in small ways as well as great ways, yet still achieve significantly
valuable results from an eternal perspective. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see yourself
as God sees you, so you can be confident that you’re a leader with tremendous potential
whose life and work truly matters. Since God promises to work through you when you
trust and rely on him, choose to do so every day, and God will give you the faith,
confidence, and power you need to do your leadership work well.

Dare to be!!!!!

SIDELINE CONNECTION

From our reading of the story in 2 Samuel 20:14-22, we can summarily say the below about the
unnamed wise woman of Abel.

She was an intercessor.

She stood in the gap and averted a bad situation.

God said to the prophet Ezekiel,

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore, hear a word from
My mouth, and give them warning from Me” (Ezekiel 3:17).

We see our Wise woman of Abel in this study play the role of a watchman over her city. She
stood in the gap for her city. She knew the mind of God concerning her people.

As believing women, knowing the mind of God concerning our lives, children and the seasons of
life we are in helps us to fight the good fight of faith. Deborah knew the mind of God for her
people and by that victory was won . Knowing the mind of God is like the compass that directs
the affairs of our lives. If you know that you are where God wants you to be per time, you will
not be anxious. Victory is always won from the standpoint of knowledge of the word of God and
being in harmony with the Holy Spirit.
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Rom 11:33(NIV) For who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him
advice?

She knew the word of God.

She knew what the word said about her people and her city. She knew also that in the law, you
don’t lay siege against a city without seeking peaceful resolution. It is when peace does not work
that you seek for war. Joab knew that too, but probably at that point he was ready to break that
law.

There is a word for every situation and circumstance. As believing women, we need to seek out
these words and make bold to declare what we know. There is word for that unbelieving husband
or child, there’s a word for that health situation, there’s a word for that lack in your home. Let us
take the time needed to dig into the Word of God. Our lady wise knew the word before the battle.
So, we need to stay with the Word as believers before the battle.

There is a sure way to prepare for the seemingly unpreparable moments. One specific and very
effective way to do this is by storing up God's Word in our mind/heart. This way, when we don't
know what to think, we can quickly remind ourselves and think the Word. This attitude also
helps us manage our panic mode in emergency situations.

Proverbs 18:15] The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it
out.

She had love for her people.

The love of God should compel us to give gifts of forgiveness. It should compel us to win souls,
to share the great mercy we have received. It should compel us to be active participants in the
places or things God has committed into our hands. Lady wise was compelled by love for her
God first, then love for her people. She hated that her people were being harassed, love compels
one to hate every form of ungodliness.

2 Corinthians 5:14] For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for
all, and therefore all died.

She was a courageous woman.

It truly is a decision to take that posture of courage in the face of fear. We must choose to be
strong and courageous in the face of things that scare or intimidate us.

Psalm 27:1] The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the
stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
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She was a wise woman.

Wisdom begins and ends with the fear of the Lord. It’s a deep, abiding, holy reverence and
respect for the Lord and for His Word, the Bible. Or we can simply say wisdom is obedience to
the word of God since we have established that God's Word has a Word for every situation. So,
with wisdom, we know when to speak and how to speak right. Wisdom directs the tone of voice
to use too.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. (Proverbs 25:11)

She was a problem solver

In the corporate world being a problem solver is part of a great resume, you see people sell their
ability to solve problems, it is a good trait to have.

As believing women, how do we acquire this wonderful trait? Get wisdom. The Wisdom of God
can make us the best strategist in handling situations in our homes, in our workplaces, with our
husbands, with our children, with our neighbors etc.

There is a difference between “earthly wisdom” and the “wisdom that comes from above”
(James 3:14–18). To tap into God’s wisdom, we must, first of all, desire it and ask God for it.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding
fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).

The next verse specifies that we must “ask in faith, nothing wavering” (verse 6).

She had a good reputation

This means when a person consistently has a perception of what is true and lives it, you gain a
force of beauty of character which can be read as faithfulness. Faithfulness creates favorable
impressions that opens doors.

Read Provebs 22:29

Observe people who are good at their work— Skilled workers are always in demand and
admired.

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She had good character.

It’s not enough to just go to church and do the good works, character must be attached to it so
that God can be glorified. Jesus tells us in

Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Our lifestyle should continually and purposefully reflect the light of God’s goodness and glory.
People should want to know and live for Christ because of our godly conduct and character. But
if we are acting up, it will be hard for anyone to see Him or let alone, praise Him. Our lady
wisdom, Lady Wise of Abel had a godly character going for her which gave her an audience with
the Chiefs of the Land.

It will be difficult to listen to a contentious woman even if she has the magic wand to all the
goodies of the land.

Romans 5:3-5 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation
brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

The woman was an influential woman.

She brought her unique character to bear on her situation, and for this, we still remember her
centuries later.

As believing women, it is a high honor for us to be influential women in our homes, society,
workplace etc. Great power is placed in our hands. We cannot overestimate the influence we
wield over our husbands, children, church, society at large , so let us use it wisely.

She was soft spoken.

Her soft approach/answer was not a weak one.

Question:

In what ways can we play the role of a watch “woman” over our homes, nations, cities, etc?

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PUNCHLINE

Reading through 2 Samuel 20 a number of things strikes one about this woman:

 In trying to change Joab's mind she didn't do it publicly before his army, she called him
aside.

In airing our views and giving counsel as women the way we go about it matters a lot, Joab may
not have listened if she made it obvious that she had a better idea to get the man they were after
alone rather than destroy an entire city.

 Even when he drew near to hear what she had to say she said "hear the words of your
maidservant" she didn't exalt herself over him even though she knew her worth (she later
told him she was a mother in Israel after getting his attention).

It takes a woman secure in her identity to bring herself low just to make sure that what needed to
be done gets done. Yes, it was obvious that she was a wise woman, even Joab could tell that
much as she went to him in the midst of a battle but she wasn't quick to declare that fact, she was
sensitive to his masculinity.

In the face of such fearful confrontation with a war general like Joab, this woman was able to
come forward and negotiate. She commanded such respect that Joab was willing to listen to her.

 She started from the point of knowledge.

While others in Abel were obviously cowering away at the situation, she remembered what the
city stood for and that was the strong reason she put forward to negotiate peace for her city.

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What do we as Christian women do in the face of fearful confrontations? Do we remember what
God says about us? Do we remember who we are in Christ? Do we face up to our situations bold
faced?

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of
adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Romans 8:15 KJV

 She didn't think to leave the responsibilities of such issues to the men.

There were obviously men in the city. A lot of us women are brought up today to think that
issues like this can only be handled by men in society. It is for such reasons we have few women
(who are obviously well celebrated) at the tables of negotiations while some of us are just wives
at home trying to hide behind our husband's trousers. The Bible stands in admiration of her guts,
such that even when her name was not mentioned she is referred to as "wise woman".

So many circles today frown at such women. Even in the churches they see them as being too
forward. Like in certain environments women are meant to just be seen and not heard.

This woman's action right here, encourages so many of us who are afraid to take up certain male
dominated responsibilities to know that the Bible supports us to do so fearlessly. If we all can
have the confidence this woman had in the Lord and His ability to change situations for good, we
can do more.

For any request, it is either yes or no when you ask.

The Bible records in 1 Peter 2: 9 “that we are a chosen generation, we are a royal priesthood”
…. Let's ponder on that!

Do you refuse royalty of anything? Do you refuse a priest/pastor if it's in your power to do? Lady
wise knew her God well!

Esther said, 'if I perish, I perish' which means it's either a 'yes' or 'no', knowing who she was! (in
her heart she was confident of a positive answer)

In our time knowing who we are as a chosen generation, royal priesthood gives us that power of
negotiation with confidence that whatever we ask for we receive. If asked according to His will.

Matthew 7:7 Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you.
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A lot of women have grown up with the "be seen not heard" mentality which makes us not to
assert these scriptures in our lives as Mothers in Israel.

It's time to act, what is that thing you've shied away from asking for, or doing because you don't
want to be seen as too forward?

Ask now, do it now. You may be shocked; you may get an answer in the affirmative. It is not
more than a 'yes' or 'no'!

This woman, the wise woman of Abel, reminds us of the daughters of Zelophehad in Numbers
27. They dared to demand that which was not customary of Moses and even God backed their
demands.

Enough with the timidity as Christian women! Enough of believing we cannot. We must stand in
boldness and confront issues that we believe in. Ask yourself this; what if the woman did not
speak up? What if she didn't confront and negotiate with Joab?

THOUGHTS ABOUT WALLS

A few thoughts come to mind about walls.

For each position/benefit a wall has, there are both positive and negative applications to them.

A wall can be protective.

Where it shelters all within it.

That was initially the place of this wall for Abel.

The rebel ran in there for protection. The citizens stayed within it for protection.

Application

We can build up walls to protect our hearts from hurts. These same walls can cage us in and
cripple us from receiving love. So, at all times check that wall to see that it is serving the right
purpose.

Is it keeping you in as a prisoner or allowing you heal correctly before God?

A wall can be a barrier.

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On the side of Joab from outside the wall of Abel was an obstacle to reaching his goal. The goal
being the capture of the rebel Sheba.

Application

Many times, walls we put in place in our hearts stop us from receiving even from God. We stop
others from reaching us. Even when we are in disobedience, we can't be reached. We harbour
rebellion, unforgiveness and malice. Which stop others short from reaching us.

A wall can be a place of negotiation or compromise.

As is exemplified by this woman, she turned this wall to a negotiation table.

Over it, she spoke and made deals. She used both its use as protection and obstacle to achieve
peace.

Application

Maybe, you took time aside to heal. Let that not be your permanent address. Create a time to let
issues be discussed and let go of or compromises be made.

Especially, between you and your spouse, a wall is deadly. Whether as a protection or an
obstacle. Turn the wall into a negotiation table and sort through the issues until you let the love
of God be shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost.

Walls are limitations.

So many of us are limited by walls built on;

Our Beliefs
Fear
Ignorance
Doubt

These walls have stopped so many women today from advancing. The walls did not stop the
woman of Abel. She didn't trust the wall as enough protection for her people, so she stepped out.
Even Rahab had refused to trust in the mighty wall of her city Jericho, and she went on to hide
the spies. A lot of us are hiding behind walls. Not seen, not heard, just peeping from the
shadows.

What are walls that are limiting our advancements?

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Walls can be boundaries/bottom lines/points you don't go beyond.

You can build a wall around what films you let yourself watch. Like setting a boundary that no
pornography in your home.

You can build a wall around what words you let drop from your lips. What gist you permit
around you, what errands you can help your boss run, how far a relationship with the opposite
gender can get.

A choice of how excellent you want your presentation. On dressing, on whatever.

You can put a boundary.

That's a wall.

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THE CALL

The story of the unnamed wise woman of Abel has brought to light many lessons that has
blessed us.

Bottom-line here is, as unnamed as we might be or we think we are, we are all leaders without
titles in our different areas of life. All of us have a calling on our lives. All of us have a purpose
for which we have been put on this earth. We have examples of women whom we have studied
before now ….like Deborah ,Miriam, Jael ,Abigail and now the Wise woman of Abel who used
their voices and their gifts to save nations and influence change in their homes and communities
through their work ,examples and through obedience to God.

Notice that at the point of these great decisions when they exerted legacy changing influence and
generational changes, these women were alone, they stood alone. They may have come to
understand that what they were about to do was not subject to popular opinion. One with God is
indeed a majority. In the presence of doubters and naysayers, it may have been a different story.

As we are called to lead—in our homes, careers, and ministry—to make a difference in the world
around us and to advocate for change, we must remember that the change God wants and the
change we so need is first the change of our hearts. Our hearts need to be transformed by
knowing Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior. Our identity is in Christ and our sufficiency is of
Him.

2 Corinthians 3:1-4

1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of
recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts,
known and read by everyone.

3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but
with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

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4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves
to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us
competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills,
but the Spirit gives life.

So that through the light of God’s presence in our hearts we can bring light to others. A woman’s
heart that has been transformed by the power of God brings change to those around her. She is
secure in knowing where she is in life and that what she is doing is enough for God because she
has set her heart in pleasing only Him. In pleasing God, we pray.

DECLARATION

Lord,

I am a woman who brings glory to God and my identity is wrapped in Him. I am accepted
and loved. I am a woman with a confidence that comes from knowing that I am created
and made to be an instrument that brings change to those around me.

I am powerful but my power comes from the presence of God in my life.

I am a woman who fills the need around me and bring souls to the light of Christ.

I am that wise woman who handles situations in my home with the wisdom of God.

I am a mother who loves and leaves a legacy for my children through my actions.

I am a wife who makes her husband dream and aspire to seek more of God.

I am a woman who is not fearful to reach out to the callings of God, I am faithful, and I
have a consistent walk with God.

I am all this in God for I am perfect and complete in all the will of God. God is at work in
me both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

I declare, I am all this and more in Jesus name. Amen.

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